Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill, probably most well-known as the home of Boston College, is more than just a name; the Community was named for a series of small hills overlooking the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The Chestnut Hill Reservoir was created in 1870 on existing marshes and meadowland in an effort to help meet the water demands of the city of Boston. In the 1970's, the reservoir was no longer needed to meet these demands and was taken offline although it is still maintained in emergency backup status. The Chestnut Hill Reservoir has been designated as a City of Boston Landmark and is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Although most of the area known as Chestnut Hill remained farmland until the early 1900's, renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted developed the area immediately surrounding the reservoir in 1870. Olmsted is known for designing Central Park in New York City and the Emerald Necklace in Boston and Brookline. Due to the significance of both its landscape and architecture, parts of Chestnut Hill were designated historic districts by the National Register of Historic Places.
Boston College, which now overlooks Chestnut Hill Reservoir, was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1863. Boston College was the second Jesuit institution in Massachusetts and the first in the Boston area. The school's charter was among the first documents to read "from its inception shall be open to youths of any faith." Boston College moved to Chestnut Hill in the early 1900's with only Gasson Hall being constructed. Old farm buildings that still remained on the land were adapted for college use until the funds could be raised to finish construction. The school became fully coed in 1970 although women had received degrees as early as 1926. The campus's amazing 175 acres include many architectural and landscape marvels.
Whether it is a trip through one of the historic districts or a shopping spree at The Atrium Mall, visitors to Chestnut Hill will find there is always something to do; visit an antique shop such as Sonia Paines Antiques or stop by the Chestnut Hill Restaurant for a home-cooked meal.
