At 283 Washington St, the Old Corner Bookstore is a historic commercial building on Boston’s Freedom Trail, built in 1718 as an apothecary shop and residence. Its literary past is tied to Ticknor and Fields, a publishing house based here in the 19th century. The building now houses a Chipotle, so expect a working restaurant rather than a preserved bookstore interior. Look for the large tapestries depicting its history and the sidewalk markers that identify the site.
A publishing address in 19th-century Boston
The building began as an apothecary shop and residence. In the 19th century, it became home to Ticknor and Fields, a publishing house associated with writers including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. They brought manuscripts here for publication.
A stop on the Freedom Trail
The Old Corner Bookstore is one of the sites on Boston’s Freedom Trail. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Its large tapestries depict scenes from its history, and sidewalk markers outside point out the site’s significance.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the Old Corner Bookstore?
It is at 283 Washington St, at the corner of School and Washington Streets in Boston.
What was the Old Corner Bookstore used for?
Built in 1718 as an apothecary shop and residence, it later housed the Ticknor and Fields publishing house.
Is the Old Corner Bookstore still a bookstore?
No. The building now houses a Chipotle.
What can you see at the site?
Look for large tapestries depicting the building’s history and historical markers on the sidewalk outside.
