Boston: A New Landmark for Charlestown: The Swallow Mansion

~ Charlestown, Boston - The historic neighborhood of Charlestown has added another gem to its collection of landmarks. On May 12, 2026, the Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) officially designated the Swallow Mansion at 33 Cordis Street as a Boston Landmark.

Built in 1845, the Swallow Mansion is a prime example of Greek Revival architecture and is considered one of the grandest houses in Charlestown. The property was named after the Swallow family who purchased it in 1862 and were prominent figures in the grocery retail industry during the late nineteenth century.

However, a closer look at the house's past reveals that it has been home to various demographic groups throughout its history. The Swallow Mansion provides a glimpse into how Charlestown's housing stock was adapted and utilized by different residents in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Originally built by William H. Bacon with the intention to sell it speculatively, the house went through several owners before being purchased by Amaziah Swallow in 1862. At that time, the area was primarily populated by detached houses and newer attached houses on Cordis Street. However, 33 Cordis Street stood out with its tall basement level set into the steeply sloping street, giving it an appearance of a temple on a hillside.

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The Swallow family's grocery store was located at City Square and became a fixture in Charlestown for decades. By the 1870s, they had secured contracts to supply warships for the federal government. George Swallow, Amaziah's son, joined him in running the family business and later went on to serve in Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate before running for Mayor of Boston in 1903.

After over four decades of ownership by the Swallow family, George sold the house to John and Ellen Buckley in 1904. The Buckleys had immigrated to the United States from Ireland and lived in the house with their five children and several tenants. Over the next 40 years, they made various updates and adaptations to the house to accommodate multiple families, including subdividing the interior and installing a hot water heater in the basement.

In 1946, the house was sold to Joseph and Catherine Bassett, who continued to use it as a multi-family income-producing property. In 1954, it was sold again to Sylvester and Helen DiDiego of New Jersey. The DiDiegos owned the house for over 60 years and continued to house tenants while making necessary updates to meet code requirements.

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After Helen DiDiego's passing in 2020, her children inherited the property before selling it in 2026. The new owner will now have to seek approval from the Boston Landmarks Commission for any exterior work on the Swallow Mansion.

The BLC held a public hearing on May 12, 2026, where they agreed with staff recommendations to designate the Swallow Mansion as a Landmark under Chapter 772. The designation was then approved by the Mayor on June 1, 2026, and by City Council on June 3, 2026.

Architectural historian Jennifer Gaugler prepared this article on behalf of the BLC. She notes that with its full-height columned portico capped by a pediment, the Swallow Mansion is a rare example of Greek Revival temple-form houses in Boston. Its grandeur makes it one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture not just in Charlestown but in all of Boston.

The Swallow Mansion at 33 Cordis Street is now officially recognized as a Boston Landmark, adding another layer of significance to this already richly historic neighborhood.

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