Charlestown

Charlestown is Boston’s oldest neighborhood, founded in 1628 and originally known as Mishawum. It was the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, commemorated by the Bunker Hill Monument. Nearly destroyed during the battle, Charlestown was rebuilt after the war. The Charlestown Navy Yard, opened in 1800, is now home to the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest floating ship. Charlestown became part of Boston in 1873, evolving into a major Irish Catholic neighborhood. In the late 20th century, it was known for ties to the Irish mob. Since the late 1980s, gentrification has transformed Charlestown into a mix of working-, middle-, and upper-middle-class residents, featuring red brick townhouses, parks, and stylish shops and restaurants.