[2] The area that is now Downtown Boston constituted much of the town/city proper prior to the city's dramatic expansion in the 1860s and 1870s.
The Great Boston Fire of 1872 destroyed much of the neighborhood, especially between Summer, Washington, and Milk Streets.
In the 1950s the Central Artery highway began operating, until the Big Dig (1982–2007) relocated it underground.
South Station is a transportation hub with subway, commuter rail, intercity bus, and Amtrak service.
Boston Renaissance Charter Public School was formerly located in a building in Park Square.