Old Corner Bookstore

The Old Corner Bookstore is a location in the Financial District of Boston in Fallout 4.^{[Pub 1]}^[1]

Background

Publications

“The Old Corner Bookstore was originally built as an apothecary after the devastating Great Fire of 1711. Originally the land belonged to Anne Hutchinson, the controversial puritan who was excommunicated and banished from Massachusetts for her “heretical” beliefs and sermons. During the mid-nineteenth century, the Old Corner Bookstore was the home of the leading American publisher Ticknor and Fields. They published the works of such luminaries as Charles Dickens, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Henry David Thoreau. Many of those were frequent visitors to this site.

The Old Corner Bookstore is a historic site on the Freedom Trail. The number “3” is daubed on the circular ground plaque pointing at the letter “I.” The interior is mostly deserted. The exterior of the bookstore is cluttered with rubble and marauding ferals, along with encroaching Raiders and Super Mutants fighting for territory and food. However, don’t miss the most difficult-to-find steamer trunk around; it’s in the ruins of the skyscraper that was built atop of the bookstore.

Head east, following the Freedom Trail, then down into the Congress Street Garage [S15.02], where you can take an elevator up to the middle of the ruined building. Climb out onto the overpass, then leap from the overpass Leap from the overpass to a curved brown metal wall plate. Look southwest, then leap across and up to the remains of a tiled floor. Congratulations: jump northwest, and you should land on the roof you’ve attempted to reach, and find the contents of the trunk, close to some upturned desks.”— Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Map

Layout

Outside the building is a pre-War plaque and a Freedom Trail marker. The location is the fifth stop on the Freedom Trail, with the code "3:I."

Entering on the first floor, there are rows of bookshelves within a single-room store. There is a seating area in the back of the store, near where the second floor has collapsed onto the first. Near the entrance is the checkout counter with two cash registers.

Judging by the rubble from the second floor, there may originally have been computer terminals on that floor. However, all that currently remains is a lectern with folding chairs around it, and a seating area with a first aid box, a lunch pail, and a skeleton with a burnt textbook on the ground.

Plaque

“The Old Corner Bookstore was originally built as an apothecary after the devastating Great Fire of 1711. Originally the land belonged to Anne Hutchinson, the controversial puritan who was excommunicated and banished from Massachusetts for her "heretical" beliefs and sermons. During the mid-nineteenth century, the Old Corner Bookstore was the home of the leading American publisher Ticknor and Fields. They published the works of such luminaries as Charles Dickens, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Henry Dave Thoreau. Many of those were frequent visitors to the site.”

Loot

Nuka-Cola Quantum - In an enamel bucket by the front counter.
Racetrack Advertisement - Note on top of the front counter.
Help Wanted! - Note in one of the cubbyholes of the front counter.

Related quests

Road to Freedom: The Sole Survivor has heard of a group that aims to take on the Institute and only has the clue, "Follow the Freedom Trail." To find the Railroad, they have to start at Boston Common.

Notes

When entering at night, the second window on the left will have a bright glow, causing a tracer-like effect upon walking closer to it.

Appearances

The Old Corner Bookstore appears only in Fallout 4.

Behind the scenes

For additional real world information about this topic, check out the Independent Fallout Wiki's Real World article.

Gallery

First floor
Second floor
Racetrack Advertisement and Help Wanted! notes
Exterior plaque
Plaque text texture file

↑ Boston placards

Publications

↑ Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p. 480: "The Old Corner Bookstore was originally built as an apothecary after the devastating Great Fire of 1711. Originally the land belonged to Anne Hutchinson, the controversial puritan who was excommunicated and banished from Massachusetts for her “heretical” beliefs and sermons. During the mid-nineteenth century, the Old Corner Bookstore was the home of the leading American publisher Ticknor and Fields. They published the works of such luminaries as Charles Dickens, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Henry David Thoreau. Many of those were frequent visitors to this site."

[2] Boston placards

[1] Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p. 480: "The Old Corner Bookstore was originally built as an apothecary after the devastating Great Fire of 1711. Originally the land belonged to Anne Hutchinson, the controversial puritan who was excommunicated and banished from Massachusetts for her “heretical” beliefs and sermons. During the mid-nineteenth century, the Old Corner Bookstore was the home of the leading American publisher Ticknor and Fields. They published the works of such luminaries as Charles Dickens, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Henry David Thoreau. Many of those were frequent visitors to this site."

[Pub 1]

[1]