~ The Moakley House, located at 1812 Columbia Road in South Boston, holds great historical significance as the former residence of U.S. Congressman John Joseph "Joe" Moakley and his wife Evelyn. Moakley, a lifelong resident of South Boston, served in various elected civil service roles including State Representative, State Senator, City Councilor, and U.S. Congressman for 15 terms. The couple resided in the house from 1959 until their deaths in 1996 and 2001 respectively.

During his political career, Moakley played a crucial role in securing federal funding and support for development and infrastructure improvements in the City of Boston. His most notable contributions include the construction of the John J. Moakley United States Courthouse in the Seaport and the "Big Dig" project. These initiatives, along with his support for affordable housing and public health programs, had a lasting impact on the landscape of Boston and Massachusetts.

Moakley was also recognized nationally and internationally for his work in Congress and humanitarian efforts to end the civil war in El Salvador during the 1980s and early 1990s.

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Aside from its historical significance, the Moakley House is also architecturally significant as an example of a 1920s Colonial Revival style 2-family dwelling. It features characteristic architectural elements such as a pedimented portico, six-over-one sash windows arranged in pairs or rows of three, hipped roof, and decorative modillions at soffits. The design of the house is also complementary to the nearby yacht clubs on William J. Day Boulevard which display elements of various styles including Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, Shingle, Italian Renaissance, Tudor Revival, and Bungalow/Craftsman.

In South Boston where triple deckers and attached rowhouses dominate the area's architecture, detached houses like 1812 Columbia Road are rare. This further adds to the significance of the Moakley House.

The potential landmark designation of the Moakley House has sparked interest and feedback from the public. Those who wish to provide written feedback can do so by visiting a link provided by the city. Additionally, a public hearing will be held on December 10, 2024, where the study report will be discussed. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and share their comments during this meeting. The meeting notice can be found in the public notices section of the city's website.

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