| South Boston Army Base | |
|---|---|
| South Boston, Massachusetts | |
 Boston Army Base, reactivated World War I installation, Boston Port of Embarkation. | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Army port of embarkation |
| Controlled by | United States Army |
 | |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1918 |
| In use | 1918 — 1974 |
TheSouth Boston Army Base, previously theBoston Quartermaster Terminal orArmy Supply Base and in 1937 named theBoston Army Base, was a 58-acreUnited States Army annex located inSouth Boston. It was authorized in April 1918 and opened for operation in October 1918. The terminal was part of the Boston sub-port of theNew York Port of Embarkation during World War I. DuringWorld War II, it was a component of theBoston Port of Embarkation. It ceased operation in 1974.
The Army Supply Base, also known as the Boston Quartermaster Terminal, was authorized 5 April 1918 to include piers, warehouses, rail yard and open storage at the foot of Summner Street fronting on the reserved channel and Dry Dock Avenue in South Boston. The installation was placed into operation 25 October 1918.[1] During World War I the Army port facilities in Boston, including the terminal, were a sub-port of the New York Port of Embarkation.[2][3] The facility was renamed Boston Army Base in 1937.[1]
TheDepartment of War purchased a large part of theCommonwealth Flats in 1920, and split up the land between theSouth Boston Naval Annex and the Boston Quartermaster Terminal.[4] Rail service to the base was provided byTrack 61.[5]
In 1939, theUSMSNorth Star departed from the South Boston Army Base as part of the 1939-1941United States Antarctic Service Expedition. The expedition was commanded by Rear AdmiralRichard E. Byrd who usedNorth Star as his flagship. On board theNorth Star when she departed was the uniqueAntarctic Snow Cruiser which completed a 1,000 mile journey from Chicago to Boston under its own power.
DuringWorld War II, the base was used to warehouse and distribute military goods and supplies and coordinate troop shipments. Troops staged atCamp Myles Standish inTaunton.[6] After the war, activity declined and many buildings and structures on the base fell into disrepair.
From 1942 until 1970 the South Boston Army Base was primarily used as a terminal for military ships transporting personnel and equipment to destinations in Europe.
From 1965 until 1982, the South Boston Army Base was the location of theArmed Forces Entrance and Examination Station (AFEES) serving eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It was the site of anti-draft protests during theVietnam War.
In 1974, the base was closed, and became part of theBoston Marine Industrial Park after the City ofBoston purchased the land in the 1980s.[4]
Today, the former base is home to the various companies which have moved in over the years.Sail Boston has also used the land to host ships when they are in port as well, including former base land at theBlack Falcon Cruise Terminal.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)42°20′48.99″N71°1′54.58″W / 42.3469417°N 71.0318278°W /42.3469417; -71.0318278