Beacon Hill
Boston’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood is a place frozen in time.
Beacon Hill is home to the Massachusetts State House and many historical landmarks, including the Boston African American National Historic Site. One of the oldest communities in the City gets its name from the beacon that once stood high on the hill to warn locals about invasions. It’s no surprise that Beacon Hill is a protected historic district.
To reach a neighborhood liaison for Beacon Hill, email contactons@boston.gov or call 617-635-3485.
Neighborhood Contacts
Neighborhood ContactsSamantha Courage
Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway-Kenmore, and Mission Hill Liaison
Samantha Courage was born and raised in South Boston, where early experiences sparked her commitment to community engagement and public service. She brings nearly a decade of experience across multiple City of Boston departments. She spent significant time in the Zoning Board of Appeal’s Legal Division, building expertise in zoning, land use policy, and the regulatory processes that shape Boston’s neighborhoods. Most recently, Courage served in the Boston City Council District 8 Office, leading neighborhood engagement, coordinating with city agencies, and working closely with residents, small businesses, and community organizations on quality-of-life and development matters.
When Courage is not a City Hall or in community, she can be found curling at her local club, cheering on the Red Sox, biking the Esplanade, spending time with friends, or attending urban planning conferences, reflecting her deep investment in the city she calls home.
Frank Mendoza
Deputy Director
Francis Mendoza will take over the role of Allston-Brighton liaison. He was born and raised in Connecticut, and moved to Allston to attend Boston University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in International Relations. While there, he worked in the community as an emergency medical technician and as a tutor to non-native English speakers through the Boston University Intergenerational Literacy Program. Mendoza went on to serve as a two-time U.S. Senate intern and was then hired as a legislative aide at the Massachusetts State House. As the son of a Mexican immigrant and an Irish-American public school teacher, Mendoza has always cherished service, inclusion, and equity, and is passionate about policy and constituent services. He fell in love with Allston-Brighton and its vibrant community and is thrilled to be able to serve his adopted home.
In his free time, Mendoza works towards his goal of visiting every Boston park, while birdwatching and identifying their plants. He particularly enjoys collecting Star Wars LEGOs, listening to music, watching historical documentaries, cooking, and playing Dungeons and Dragons every Thursday with his friends.
Frank Mendoza is the Deputy Director for Neighborhoods: Allston-Brighton, Charlestown, South Boston, West Roxbury, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, and Mission Hill.
Neighborhood features
Beacon Hill is about one square mile in size, and is surrounded by some well-known streets, including:
- Beacon Street
- Bowdoin Street
- Cambridge Street, and
- Storrow Drive.
Beacon Hill’s architecture and layout reflect old colonial Boston. Brick row houses feature ornate doors and decorative iron work. Its narrow streets are lined with brick sidewalks and gas lamps. Charles Street features antique shops and a variety of local restaurants and other businesses.
This quaint neighborhood was home to many famous Americans, including:
- Louisa May Alcott
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
- Daniel Webster
- Robert Frost
- Sylvia Plath, and
- Senator John Kerry.