Boston Corners, The Naughty Town That Massachusetts Lost to New York

August 19, 2022 9:57 AM

Look closely at a map of Massachusetts and you’ll notice the southwestern corner doesn’t square off. It’s as if someone chopped off a corner of the state and gave it to New York. Well, that’s exactly what happened when Boston Corners moved from the Bay State to the Empire State.
posted by Etrigan (14 comments total)

Looks like MA got a bigger chunk of CT, (just south of Southwick). All evens out.
posted by sammyo at 10:00 AM on August 19, 2022 [7 favorites]

Oh man, this is a great post. As an American of Irish descent, this is pure gold.

I love low history like: "An Irish gang fighter named Yankee Sullivan held the informal title of champion, though he weighed only 140 pounds and had reached his 40th birthday."

"by the 30th round the fighters’ followers started doing some extracurricular fighting of their own in the audience." Erin go Bragh!

"He ran for Congress with help from the Tammany political machine. After two terms in Congress he won election to the New York state Senate."

This all fits my family so much. Irish AND he won a fight...we have to vote for him!
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 10:08 AM on August 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

BRB, need to write historical romance novel about a prizefighter made good...
posted by jacquilynne at 10:10 AM on August 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

Boston Corner is also on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Take the Harlem Line on Metro North to the Wassaic terminal, hop on your bike, and head north. Stop in Millerton on the way back for ice cream.
posted by leaper at 10:11 AM on August 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Looks like MA got a bigger chunk of CT, (just south of Southwick).

Connecticut's "Southwick Jog" - Map & Geographic Information - LibGuides Home at Connecticut State Library.

Following the Revolutionary War, in 1793, both states appointed Boundary Commissioners to run a straight boundary from Union, Connecticut to the New York state line. In 1797 the Commissioners recommended that a disputed 2.5 square mile tract be awarded to Massachusetts as compensation for its earlier losses of Suffield, Woodstock, Somers, and Enfield to Connecticut. However, it was not until 1804 that Connecticut agreed to yet another compromise that partitioned the 2.5 mile area at Congamond Lakes with Massachusetts receiving 5/8 of the disputed parcel along the west shore and Connecticut receiving the remainder, along the east shore.

posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 10:18 AM on August 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Boston Corner also hosts the trailhead of the best (and also hardest) spur trail up to the splendor of all-but-unknown-to-outsiders South Taconic Trail. Less than a half mile, and pretty much straight up. But the views and the incredible joy of hiking alongside a stream-carved clove are worth the effort.

On the way to the trailhead, you’ll pass several historical markers noting the colorful local history, including the famous boxing match.
posted by minervous at 10:29 AM on August 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Sports, and especially boxing, is such an amazing lens for bringing American history into focus.

Morrisey's wikipedia entry is bonkers:

Murder of Bill Poole

Morrissey became involved in Democratic politics in New York City and developed a rivalry with William Poole, also known as "Bill the Butcher". Poole was leader of the rival Bowery Boys, who were enforcers for the Know-Nothing Party, and a boxer. On August 8, 1854, a fight was arranged between Poole and Morrissey at the corner of "West and Amos-street". According to a newspaper report, after some sparring, Poole threw Morrissey to the ground and was on top of him in an instant "pounding, gouging, bucking and biting", forcing Morrissey to concede the fight to Poole.

In February 1855, two of Morrissey's friends, Lew Baker and Jim Turner, shot and fatally wounded Bill the Butcher at Stanwix Hall, a saloon on Broadway. Morrissey and Baker were indicted for the murder, but the charges were dropped after three trials resulting in hung juries.

posted by Caxton1476 at 10:34 AM on August 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

Off to reread my literally favorite book, "How the States Got Their Shapes." :)
posted by Melismata at 11:01 AM on August 19, 2022 [3 favorites]

I too went down the southwick rabbit hole and this is where I ended up.
posted by piyushnz at 11:17 AM on August 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Sounds vaguely like Gangs of New York. Been up that way several times. Never knew the story. Thanks for posting.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:51 AM on August 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

This is like a Pogues song turned into a town.
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:34 PM on August 19, 2022 [10 favorites]

Just drove past it today on Rt 22.
posted by sundrop at 6:27 PM on August 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

If we are talking about wandering state lines Illinois got the city of Chicago which I would say was ultimately a much bigger win for the United States if you are anti-slavery and anti-confederacy.
posted by srboisvert at 4:32 AM on August 20, 2022

It sounds like Gangs of New York because it is.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:49 PM on August 27, 2022