Boston Fish Pier Could Gain National Historic Designation

The Boston Fish Pier could soon be recognized as a place of national historic significance.

The 120,000-square-foot complex on the South Boston waterfront opened in 1914 and in its early heyday was the nation's leading fishing port.

The Massachusetts Historical Commission has nominated the Boston Fish Pier for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Secretary of State William Galvin says the designation will raise awareness of the historical importance of the facility.

Now operated by Massport, the fish pier supports more than 3,000 jobs and is home to three restaurants.

Since 1895, John Mantia & Sons has scaled and sold fish for area markets.

"My father, third generation, is the current owner. And we have the fifth generation working downstairs," said manager Anthony Mantia.

The family who runs the successful wholesale seafood processing business thinks making the pier a place of national historic designation would be great idea.

"It was something that was designed over 100 years ago that we're basically still using for the same purpose as was back then," said Bill Mantia.

The commission also nominated four other sites to the national register: the Columbia Road historic district in Boston, the Worcester State Hospital Farmhouse, and historic districts in the western Massachusetts towns of Heath and Gill.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us