Custom House Tower at the head of historic Long Wharf

The Custom House Tower stands at the historic head of Long Wharf, a man-made wooden wharf that once extended far into Boston Harbor and altered the shoreline geometry to favor maritime commerce. Long Wharf's construction and later modifications created artificial harbor edges on which prominent buildings like the Custom House were sited. The tower's location marks a long-documented instance where built infrastructure changed the city's coastal geography and waterfront orientation.