Scollay Square was Boston’s entertainment district for many years, noted for its bars, dance halls, burlesque theaters, penny arcades and tattoo parlors. It was also the home of some of Boston’s finest restaurants, hotels, and retail establishments. During World War II, there were several shipyards and army bases in the Boston area. Scollay Square became a favorite stop for servicemen passing through the city. The old buildings of Scollay Square were torn down for urban renewal in the 1960’s and replaced with city, county, state, and federal buildings.