Boston Historical Markers

1. SITE OF THE JOHN LOVE MURDER
Dec. 15, 1824

The Thayer brothers, Isaac, Israel and Nelson, unable to repay the debt they owed to Great Lakes seaman, John Love, murdered him in Israel’s home. They were tried and hanged at Buffalo, June 17, 1825. A great crowd witnessed this, the only public hanging in Erie County.
(Erected by Erie Bicentennial Commission 1975)

[Historian’s Note: Located where Mayer Road meets Zimmerman Road]

2. TYPHOID TRACED TO WELL
In 1843

Typhoid Fever attacked 28 persons with 10 deaths after a stranger’s illness contaminated the water in the well at Fuller’s Tavern. The study by Austin Flint, M.D. is the classic story that first points the way to the real cause of the disease.

The new (blue/yellow) marker was installed by the Town of Boston Highway Department in 2021 and was funded through a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. Information about this project can be found at on this page (linked). 

[Historian’s Note: Located in North Boston]

3. FIRST FIRE COMPANY

The Boston Valley’s first volunteer fire company was organized in 1904. After seeing the futile efforts to battle the disastrous burning of Schunk’s Hotel and the Boston Town Hall , Fred Frank rallied the North Boston community to support the formation of a local fire company.

[Historian’s Note: Located in North Boston]

4. HOME OF TALLCUT PATCHIN
Tallcut Patchin lived here until 1834

The Boston Valley’s first volunteer fire company was organized in 1904. After seeing the futile efforts to battle the disastrous burning of Schunk’s Hotel and the Boston Town Hall , Fred Frank rallied the North Boston community to support the formation of a local fire company.

[Historian’s Note: Located in North Boston]

5. BOSTON’S FIRST SETTLER
In 1803

Charles Johnson purchased 50 acres of open land in the forest, paying $2.25 per acre. He built the town’s first log cabin in 1804 and raised the first frame barn in 1807. Johnson owned another 30 acres containing visible remains of an early palisaded Indian village.
(Erected by Erie County Sesquicentennial Committee 1971)

[Historian’s Note: Located where Liebler Road meets Boston State Road.]

6. BIRTHPLACE OF ELLEN BEACH YAW
1868 – 1947

“Lark” Ellen Beach Yaw, world famous coloratura soprano, is credited with having sung the highest note ever achieved by the human voice. She was the first famous Metropolitan Opera singer to record her voice and later made several recordings for Thomas Edison.
(Erected by the Boston Historical Society.)

[Historian’s Note: The house still stands in the hamlet of Boston]

7. PIONEER CHURCH
Founded by Rev. John Spencer, missionary, 1811

“Lark” Ellen Beach Yaw, world famous coloratura soprano, is credited with having sung the highest note ever achieved by the human voice. She was the first famous Metropolitan Opera singer to record her voice and later made several recordings for Thomas Edison.
(Erected by the Boston Historical Society.)

[Historian’s Note: The house still stands in the hamlet of Boston]