Well the Missus and I trundled downtown yesterday to catch the free history tour at South Station and, say, it was swell.

The Missus had seen this the other day in the Boston Globe.

Keeping track of a landmark

SOUTH STATION HISTORY TOUR We walk through it often, maybe even every day, to get where we need to go. We rely on its food court for a pick-me-up on our commute and rely even more on the public transit, but have we ever stopped to think how South Station came to be? Tours are held the first Saturday of the month; meet at the concierge desk. Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. Free.
South Station, corner of Summer Street and Atlantic Avenue. 617-217-2236. www.south-station.net

So we – and about 100 other people – got a crash course in the history of the Hub’s first transportation hub. From the website:

It was December 30, 1898 and Boston’s new South Union Station was big news in the city and far beyond. In the presence of 5,000 invited officials and guests, Boston Mayor Josiah Quincy, III was joined by New Haven Railroad head Charles P. Clark, to introduce his city and the world to the largest rail station ever built .The following day, New Year’s Eve 1898, amid a typical Boston snowstorm, an estimated 10,000 attended a public sneak preview and further dedicatory events.

We had a terrific tour guide – smart, funny, extremely knowledgeable. Sorry we didn’t get her name.

There’s a great slideshow here, but it’s a lot more fun to go there. The next one is February 7.