JWB purchased a lot at 113 Commonwealth Ave. in Boston's Back Bay for $8,000 in his mother's name. This is a picture of the house that now occupies the land.
I believe the land was purchased in 1864. He paid for it in installments over a year or so. That does seem like a lot of money for a small lot, but I think that was the most desirable area of Boston then.
"There are few subjects that ignite more casual, uninformed bigotry and condescension from elites in this nation more than Dixie - Jonah Goldberg"