123 Boston

Stroll Through History on the Boston Freedom Trail

Posted by admin, July 7th, 2010

The city of Boston is rich with history, and if you plan on visiting the area, you should set aside at least one afternoon for exploring the city’s past.  The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long brick path that navigates pedestrians to 16 different historical sites.  The trail was the brainchild of Boston journalist William Shofield and former Boston mayor, John Hynes pushed this idea through to fruition.  The trail has been helping visitors discover the history of this country for over 50 years, particularly as it was during the Revolutionary war.

The Paul Revere House is a popular stop along this trail, located in the North End of the city, and was owned by Revolutionary War hero, Paul Revere, from 1770-1800.  The trail also runs through King’s Chapel Burying Ground.  This cemetery has been the final resting place for a number of famous people since 1630, including John Winthrop, William Dawes, Elizabeth Pain and Mary Chilton.  The Unitarian church, The King’s Chapel, which was the first Anglican Church in New England, is located in this burial ground.

The Bunker Hill Monument, built to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill that took place during the Revolutionary War, considered to be a Pyrrhic victory for the colonists, is another stop along the freedom trail.  This 221 foot granite monument was completed in 1843, and has since seen a number of additions and renovations.  In front of the obelisk stands a statue of Col. William Prescott who is famous for telling his troops, “don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes,” as he led his men into the Battle of Bunker Hill.

A number of other sites are located along the trail such as the USS Constitution, Old North Church, Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House.  This trail is the perfect way to get a little exercise while brushing up on your American history.