Great Fire of 1711 occurs.

The fire breaks out in the rear of the Ship Tavern near today’s 227 Washington Street. It burns over an area of more than one-third of the town and destroys some 100 buildings, including the Town House, the First Church in Boston, and the Third Church in Boston (Old South Church). The destruction causes the town to establish fire wards, each with its own warden. It also leads to the establishment of volunteer fire companies, which are subsequently described as “more prone to rioting than putting out fires” because they vie with one another to be first on the scene since they are paid based on the goods that they salvage. After the fire, many of the new buildings in this part of town are rebuilt in the Queen Anne style.