Boston's Freedom Trail: A Travel Guide

There are many imitators in many cities all around the world, but Boston's Freedom Trail is the original. Created in 1951, it has evolved from crude signage leaned up again wooden horses to a line on the sidewalk painted red to what it is today, a red brick line. Contrary to popular belief, the Freedom Trail is not an historic path that some historic person traveled. It is instead merely a line on the sidewalks of Boston meant to guide visitors through the city's sometimes confusing streets. The Freedom Trail has sixteen official sites and is two and half miles long.

Boston Common The Freedom Trail begins at the Visitor Information Center on the Boston Common. The Common, dating to 1634, is known as the very first public park in America. On April, 18, 1775, British soldiers departed from the Common towards Concord, Massachusetts leading to what Ralph Waldo Emerson called "the shot heard round the world" and the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.

State House Opened in 1798 and built on land that was once adjacent to the home of Governor John Hancock, the Massachusetts State House was designed by Charles Bulfinch. It is today the oldest State House in the country that is still used as a seat of government. The building is open to the public, but be prepared for the usual security at the door.

Park Street Church Consecrated in 1809, this church's tower was one of the dominant towers of Boston's skyline for over a hundred years. Note the exterior pulpit at the corner; it was from here that many sermons and public speeches were given, including a famous anti-slavery speech by William Lloyd Garrison, which sparked violent demonstrations throughout Boston.

Granary Burial Ground Next to the Park Street Church is the Granary Burial Ground, the third oldest in Boston. In the center, there is a very tall obelisk monument; it honors the parents of Benjamin Franklin, who was born and raised in Boston. Almost directly behind it, up on the ridge near the back of the yard is a moment marking the grave of Paul Revere. The tall white monument near the church honors John Hancock. Down near the street, on either side, are the gravesites of two other heroes of the Revolution, James Otis and Samuel Adams.

King's Chapel and King's Chapel Burial Ground Built in 1754, the members of this church were largely comprised of loyalists and bureaucrats who worked for the Crown in Boston. After the Revolution, the "rebel" element of the church embraced Unitarianism and were able to rebuild a viable congregation. The church's interior is possibly the most elegant colonial period interior in New England. The neighboring burial ground pre-dates the church, and is Boston's original burying place. Massachusetts' first governor, John Winthrop, is buried here.

Boston Latin School Located on School Street, embroidered into the sidewalk is a mosaic that marks the general location of the original Boston Latin School, which was founded in 1636 and is considered to be America's very first public school. It is located in front of Old City Hall, which is today a private office building, but was once the center of city government.

Old Corner Bookstore Located at the end of the block, this building was originally built in 1718 as an apothecary and private residence. It did not become famous, however, until it housed the publishing house of Ticknor & Fields, arguably the most important publisher in 19^th Century America. They published Longfellow, Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, and even Charles Dickens, among many others.

Old South Meeting House Consecrated in 1729, this was the largest public structure in Boston during the colonial period, and as result, hosted many public meetings. Including the one that directly led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Samuel Adams was a member of the congregation. It is no longer a church; it is a museum today.

Old State House At the head of Washington Street is the Old State House, which served at the seat of Massachusetts government from 1713 to 1798. It is the oldest public building in Boston, and today, it is a museum, open to the public.

Boston Massacre Site Located in front of the Old State House, it consists of a large circle of granite stones. It purports to mark the site where British soldiers shot down five Boston citizens in 1770, and eventually led to the temporary removal of British troops from the town of Boston. The actual site is nearby, in the middle of the street in front of the corner entrance of 60 State Street.

Faneuill Hall Located behind the Samuel Adams statue, Faneuil Hall is the historic seat of town government for Boston. The original building dates to 1747 and the current building dates to 1806 and was designed by Charles Bulfinch. The first floor contains retail shops and food; the historic hall is upstairs and is open to the public.

Paul Revere House Located in the North End of Boston, the Paul Revere House is the oldest structure in downtown Boston, dating to 1680. Paul Revere and his family lived in house this during the American Revolution, and it was from here that Paul Revere began his famous Midnight Ride on April 18, 1775.

Old North Church Dating to 1723, the Old North Church is the oldest church structure in Boston. It was from its steeple that the two famous lanterns were displayed on the night of April 18, 1775, signaling the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. The church is an active Episcopal Church and is open to the public.

Copp's Hill Burying Ground Located right up the hill from the Old North Church, the Copp's Hill Burying Ground is the second oldest in downtown Boston, dating to 1660. There are wonderful views of the Boston Harbor.

U.S.S. Constitution Nicknamed "Old Ironsides," the U.S.S. Constitution is the oldest fully commissioned naval warship afloat in the world. Launched into Boston Harbor in 1797, the U.S.S. Constitution is today permanently docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard. It is open to public.

Bunker Hill Monument Opened in 1843, the Bunker Hill Monument is a 221 foot granite obelisk built to honor those who fought and died during the Battle of Bunker Hill, which took place on June 17, 1775 on the grounds where the moument stands today. It is open to the public, and there is an observatory at the top.