Let’s hunt some ghosts

We’re going ghost (sign) hunting, Boston

This building dates back to the 1830s. | Photo by @go_rubber_chicken_go

It wouldn’t be Halloween without ghost stories. Or better yet, ghost sign stories.

What is a ghost sign? It’s any old painted advertisement on the side of a building, usually spelling out the name of a company + a description of their goods or services.

Given Boston’s industrial history, ghost signs are everywhere. Here’s what we know about three of these signs and where to find them.

👻 Bostonia Cigars

When walking around the Rose Kennedy Greenway + Haymarket area, you’ve probably recognized this 10 cent cigar advertisement. If you haven’t yet, head to Blackstone Street to see the sign dating back to the 1880s.

Pro tip: While you’re there, keep an eye out for the sign of a hand pointing down on Marshall Street.

👻 NECCO

This one is a bit harder to notice, but there are still lingering letters from a New England Confectionery Company Factory space at Necco Court in the Seaport District.

The candy company also has a historic factory complex at 250 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge, which is now owned by Novartis.

👻 Holt & Bugbee Co.

You’ll find this sign from a locally founded hardware flooring company on 90 Canal St. in the North End. Fun fact: The business, which operated in Charlestown for 60 years, is still around in Tewskbury.

Honorable mentions go to the Quaker Oats signs in both Cambridge + the South End, and the Coca Cola logo on Colombus Avenue in the South End.

If you’re curious to learn more, check out The Backside of America. Newton local Dave Brigham regularly explores our city and documents all of the ghost signs he finds on the blog. Naturally, we’re big fans.

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, October 31

Halloween Party | Mon., Oct. 31 | 6-8 p.m. | Women’s Lunch Place, 67 Newbury Street, Boston | Free | Have fun while helping those in need at the Back Bay day shelter.
Bad Movie Club: Halloween Edition | Mon., Oct. 31 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton | Free | For those who love “bad” movies, catch a screening of “The Lost Boys.”

Tuesday, November 1

Harry Potter Trivia at Thirsty Scholar | Tue., Nov. 1 | 7 p.m. | Thirsty Scholar, 70 Beacon Street, Somerville | Free to attend | Test your Potter knowledge for the chance to take home a $50 gift card.

Wednesday, November 2

Climate Risk Webinar for Boston Cultural Trustees | Wed., Nov. 2 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Boston | Free | Board members of Boston’s cultural institutions are invited to attend this new climate webinar.
November Brewery Book Club | Wed., Nov. 2 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Lamplighter Broadway, 284 Broadway, Cambridge | Free to attend | This month, the book club will discuss “Moon of the Crusted Snow.”

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

66º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Traffic

As trick-or-treaters take to the streets tonight, here are the traffic advisories to be aware of. The closures in neighborhoods like Beacon Hill, Charlestown + Dorchester will be in effect from 5 to 8 p.m. 🍬

Civic

The Mayor’s Office of Housing released its October update on projects like income-restricted housing at Jamaica Plain’s Jackson Square + rental units at Bowdoin Street in Dorchester. Check out the full update.

Development

Mass General Hospital broke ground on a 1.5 million sqft campus expansion last week. The seven-year-long development project along Cambridge Street has a price tag of almost $2 billion, and will include the Mass General Center Center + Corrigan Minehan Heart Center. (Boston Globe)

Number

$34 million. That’s how much federal grant money is going toward an offshore wind building facility in Salem. The project will include a 700-ft-long wharf + positions Salem as a key area for clean energy and green jobs. (NBC 10)

Plan Ahead

Tickets are on sale now for ZooLights at the Stone Zoo. The winter wonderland (think: large-scale lantern displays and lots of twinkling lights) is returning Fri., Nov. 18 and running through Sun., Jan. 8. ❄️

Travel

How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*

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Last-minute local costumes

Last-minute Boston Halloween costumes

Ghosts and punpkins outside a Back Bay brownstone

Be the best-dressed Bostonian at any Halloween parties tonight. | Photo by @jeffrey_prohaska_

Has anyone else seen the Spirit Halloween costume trend going around?

We scoured our Instagram feed to find costume ideas for all those procrastinators out there — here are three local looks you could rock tonight.

Boston Pops Conductor
To pull this off, you’ll need the classic red bow tie, baton, and possibly expert knowledge of scores by famous American composers. You know, if you have time to learn them.

Harpoon Beer
The local brewery recommends dressing up as its recent release, Winter Warmer. Pull off the seasonal brew look with your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and some L.L. Bean boots. It wouldn’t hurt to bring the beer with you, too.

Boston Influencer
We feel seen, Boston Lyric Opera. Make like the BOStoday City Editors and grab a classic Boston fall fit, complete with a scarf and coffee — though we’d opt for a local brew or Dunkin’ over Starbucks.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Sara.

Editor’s pick: For anyone who needs plans tonight, there’s a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Center for Arts at the Armory in Somerville.

Advance tickets are sold out, but there will be tickets up for grabs at the door. If you’re never done the Time Warp before, read this guide before you go.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Read up on what downtown Boston might look like in the future.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Jessica Burton, Sara Frazier, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare | Advertise with us.

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