The Shawmut Peninsula

The Shawmut Peninsula in Boston, Massachusetts, originally covered 789 acres but expanded significantly through 19th-century land reclamation efforts. Named after an Algonquian word, the peninsula's freshwater source attracted settlers. Shaped by glaciers, it was once densely forested with three prominent hills. Reclamation projects from 1820 to 1900 led to the creation of neighborhoods like the South End and Back Bay. While altering the ecosystem, these efforts eliminated pollution and created valuable real estate.