Autographed copies of Scollay Square (Arcadia Publishing, 2004) and Always Something Doing: Boston's Infamous Scollay Square (Northeastern University Press, 1999) can be purchased on our home page.
Scollay Square Day

On April 8, 1987, the City of Boston officially renamed Government Center to a name that reflected its origins: Government Center at Scollay Square.  The T (Boston's subway system) would subsequently renamed the Government Center stop accordingly.  The renaming was entirely the idea of radio talk show host Jerry Williams, who first began campaigning for the name change a year earlier while broadcasting from City Hall Plaza during a celebration for the 1986 World Champion Boston Celtics in June of that year.  "This isn't Government Center," Jerry said, as David, an engineer at the time for WRKO, listened excitedly, "it's Scollay Square.  Let's bring back Scollay Square!"

And that just what he did...
 
 


Mayor Ray Flynn reads the proclamation that returned the name Scollay Square to this part of town.
 


Jerry Williams was the king of Boston radio in the 1980s, who made his influence felt on many issues, from seat belts to the Big Dig.  The renaming may not have been as important, but it was a special day for many Bostonians.  Here, Jerry and the Mayor hold the renaming proclamation.
 


The undisputed Queen of the Old Howard - Ann Corio herself - attended the day's festivities.
 


Ann with her husband (and co-author of This Was Burlesque) Mike Ianucci
 


April 8, 1987 was also the day that just up street, at almost the exact same time, Governor Mike Dukakis declared his candidacy for President.  This crowd made no bones about where they'd rather be.



Jerry Williams with two belles of Scollay Square, Barbara English and Ann Corio
 


A Scollay Square celebration wouldn't be complete with old-time Boston pol Fred Langone (there he is, on the far left.)  The woman just underneath the sign is Rosemarie Sansone, whose Uncle "Dixie" had his own, unique ties to Scollay Square.
 


Of course, it wouldn't have been Scollay Square without the ORIGINAL Joe & Nemo, either
 


Author David Kruh with Ann Corio at the renaming ceremony.
 

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