In the mid-19th century, "the hospital was suggested [...] by Elisha Goodnow, who, by his will, dated July 12, 1849, gave property to the city valued at $25,000, for establishment of a free city hospital in Wards Eleven or Twelve.

"[1] Architect Gridley James Fox Bryant designed the first hospital, built 1861–1864 on Harrison Avenue in the South End.

"[3] In 1923, the Thorndike Memorial Laboratory was established at Boston City Hospital with support provided by Dr. George L. Thorndike in memory of his brother, William, a long-time City Hospital staff member.

Seminal studies in hematology and related discliplies were conducted in this facility by Harvard Medical School faculty and other investigators.

As of 2008, the buildings at 818 Harrison Avenue are partially extant: "some sections of the original hospital remain here and there within the hodgepodge of later construction.