To spot Whale Oil Row, look to your right for four grand, white, temple-like houses standing shoulder to shoulder-they’ve got those classic pointy Greek roofs and hefty columns that basically scream 'old money.'
Here’s the line-up that made whaling millionaires the local aristocracy. Built between 1835 and 1845, these Greek Revival beauties were the vision of Ezra Chappel and builder Charles Henry Boebe-not household names, but clearly the right folks to call when you wanted your home to look like the Parthenon. Each house is topped with a proper pediment and supported by fluted Ionic columns. Back then, these whaling folks were making what we’d now call millions-enough to build these mansions without breaking a sweat. One owner ran ships, another was a merchant, and there was even a doctor-because every high society row needs a professional on standby, right? For years these were prime family estates, but by the mid-1900s, they’d been converted into office space. So, if you get a sudden urge to buy whale oil futures, blame the view.
When you’re ready, head north for about 3 minutes to reach St. James Episcopal Church.
