The Freedom Trail, Boston

We went back to Boston for a day to get a better sense of the history there.  Reading up on it ahead of time, we decided the best way to do it was to walk the Freedom Trail.  A 5 mile round trip path that leads to 16 of the country's most significant historical landmarks.  The real deal, no recreations on the sites as you will see.  The path is actually marked by a red brick "line" on the pavement that weaves it's way through Boston.  Most sites are free to enter. You could do tours, we chose to do it at our own  pace.  We had a great day.

Here is half the tour, rest next post.  If you never get a chance to do this, enjoy!!

We began at Boston Common, America's oldest public park.  Across this section of the park you can see the Massachusetts State House in the background.  The Commons has been the site of hangings, duels, celebrations and speeches among other things.

Boston Commons and Mass. State House

The Park Street Church, seen here from the corner of the Commons, used to be the first landmark a traveler would see on approaching Boston.  

 Next to the Park Street Church, the Granary Burying Ground is the 3rd oldest burying ground in Boston and the final resting place of some VIPs such as Paul Revere, Sam Adams and John Hancock.

Paul Revere's grave and monument





Sam Adams grave

Below, partially built in 1749, the Kings Chapel, the first Anglican church.  Used by President Washington during his 1789 visit to Boston

 A statue of Ben Franklin sits outside the first public school in the US

trail marker

The old corner bookstore, now a Chipotle's.  Ticknor and Fields, the nation's leading publisher in the mid 1800s, published works by Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Tennyson, Emerson, Longfellow among many others.

The old South Meeting House built in 1729, the second oldest church in Boston, was used for public meetings.  The most famous of the meetings was held on Dec 16, 1773 to protest the tax on tea.

The Old State House, built in 1713, is Boston's oldest surviving public building.

Old State House

a ring of cobblestones next to the State House commemorating the Boston Massacre

a street musician beats his home made drums

Faneuil Hall served as a meeting place and open market.  It was here the Bostonians began their opposition to British authority. The upper floor is still used today for public meetings

Faneuil Hall

upper floor Faneuil Hall

a little Italian shop with lovely smells of bread and cheese

Paul Reveres House

 It was from the steeple of this church that Sexton Newman hung two lanterns on April 18, 1775 to signal the beginning of Paul Revere's momentous ride.  The spark that ignited the American Revolution!

the old North Church

inside the church,  wealthy parishioners back then used to purchase their own box in the church