Boston City Council (1822–1909)

Boston City Council
Type
Type
HousesBoston Board of Aldermen (upper chamber)
Boston Common Council (lower chamber)
History
FoundedMay 1, 1822
Disbanded1909
Preceded byBoston Board of Selectmen
Succeeded byBoston City Council (unicameral)
SeatsVaried over time
Constitution
Boston City Charter (1822)

From 1822 until 1909, Boston's legislative body was bicameral, with a Board of Aldermen that was elected at-large and a much larger Common Council that was elected from multi-member electoral districts (wards). Prior to 1822, the Boston Board of Selectmen governed the city. The bicameral council lasted until 1909, when it was replaced by the the modern Boston City Council. Unlike the bicameral 1822 council, the modern council that was established in 1909 is unicameral.