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The Old Feather Store building was constructed in 1680, and
was torn down in about 1860. The house stood at Dock Square and North Street
(today known as One Faneuil Hall Square), on the south side of historic
Faneuil Hall.
The style of the building has been described as Northern European or
Hanseatic (a confederation of northern German towns in the 1600s), with
overhanging stories and gabled windows. When originally constructed in 1680, the
waves of the bay used to lap up almost to its doors, long before landfill
projects reclaimed the tidal flats in the area.
The building became known as The Old Feather Store because of the
feathers and furniture that were sold in a 1st floor shop for many years. It was
constructed of heavy oak timbers and was in excellent condition when torn
down. Many considered the structure one of the most picturesque buildings in
the country. The facade was covered with stucco filled with fragments of
glass.
It is believed that overhanging stories on the ancient buildings of Boston
had served two major purposes: To protect pedestrians from rain, and to
allow faster boarding up of the houses if the town was attacked by Indians.
The site of the feather shop was approximately that of the old
six-story Sanborn Fish Market building, which burnt down on November 18,
1979. While this spectacular fire was being fought, one of the walls collapsed, and embers fell on
a water-dampened Faneuil Hall less than 100 feet away.
Nearby attractions to Faneuil Hall Square include the
New England Aquarium and
Quincy Market.
Nearby Buildings
Custom House
Grain Exchange
Long Wharf Hotel
Mercantile Wharf
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