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Boston is often referred to as "The Hub," which is short for "The Hub of the
Solar System" and later "The Hub of the Universe." The Hub is a
physical place—the
Massachusetts State House Building. Oliver Wendell Holmes coined the original phrase in 1858. Holmes wrote a
series of articles in the Atlantic Monthly called
The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table. In Volume 1, Issue 6, he wrote: "[The] Boston State-House is the hub
of the solar system. You couldn't pry that out of a Boston man, if you
had the tire of all creation straightened out for a crowbar." The
reference boastfully implied that Boston was the center of everything
intellectual at the time.
Greetings From The Hub
Oliver Wendell Holmes is also credited with created the
nickname Boston Brahman for the wealthy
enlightened class of Boston's mid-19th century.
Scenes Around The Historic Old Hub
Inside the wheel, this view shows Faneuil Hall, Old State
House, State House, Public Library, Public Garden swan-boat, South
Station, Public Garden flowers, Park Street Church, King's Chapel, Old North
Church, and Old South Meeting House. Please note the gold
dome of the State House in the center or "hub" of the wheel!
Return to Boston Nicknames Page
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