Boston Custom House

The Custom House in Boston, Massachusetts, was established in the 17th century and stood near the waterfront in several successive locations through the years.

In 1849 the U.S. federal government constructed a neoclassical building on State Street; it remains the "Custom House" known to Bostonians today.

The Custom House was built at the end of the City docks, to facilitate inspection and registration of cargo.

[14] The federal government used the building to collect maritime duties in the age of Boston clipper ships.

[16] This description of the original Custom House appears in the 1850 Boston Almanac: By 1905, increased shipping required the building's expansion.

It was the tallest building in both Boston and New England for almost half a century, until the Prudential Tower surpassed it in 1964.