Historical Boston: Walking the Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail in Boston is one of the most important tours you can take to learn more about American history and the founding of the United States. If you are like me and love history, Boston is the city for you!

You can see Boston’s history in the well-preserved architecture that seems to be from another time. The Freedom Trail walks you through the city to many sites that you may have read about in a textbook, and others that you may be less familiar with.

The Freedom Trail can easily be completed in a single day. The entire trail is 2.5 miles long (4 kilometers), and is not too strenuous. There is food to be found along the way, so you can make it a full day event and fully explore each place, or if you just want to see the sights without paying anything extra, you can do the whole walk in a few hours.

The trail is marked by a brick line on the ground that leads you from Boston Common to Bunker Hill. You can tour the Freedom Trail in any order you like, but this is the most common path.

Boston Common

The Freedom Trail starts in Boston Common, a large green space in the center of the city. The Common has several playing fields for sports enthusiasts, multiple statues, a carousel, and a wading pool.

Boston Common is the oldest city park in the United States, dating back as far as 1634. On the Boylson Street side of the Common you will find the Central Burying Ground where some notable people were buried. The Common is a Boston Landmark.

The park is frequently used for large events in the city. You can find several monuments and memorials scattered throughout the Common. The Frog Pond is a wading pool in the Summer and a skating rink in the winter. The water was not the cleanest, but what can you expect in the middle of a city?

There are two subway stations, Boylson and Park Street Stations on the Eastern and Southern corners of the park. These were the first subway stations to be made in the Western Hemisphere.

Massachusetts State House

The Massachusetts State House is the state capitol and seat of government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Did you know that Massachusetts is a Commonwealth and not a state? The State House is located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston and is just off the Northeastern corner of the Common.

In 1798 the State House was built by architect Charles Bullfinch on land owned by John Hancock himself. The dome atop the state house was originally wooden and was covered in copper by Paul Revere’s copper company in 1802 due to leaking.

During WWII they had to paint the dome, which was once covered in gold leaf, gray to prevent reflection during blackouts and to protect the city from bombing attacks. I imagine a gold dome would be an easy target.

There is a statue of a man on a horse outside of the State House. That man is Joseph Hooker an army officer during the US Civil War. We heard a story that the term ‘hooker’ came from his last name due to his status as a well known drinker and ladies man. After some more investigation I found out that the term was used prior to him, but the story is pretty cool either way.

Park Street Church

Park Street Church is the next stop on the Freedom Trail located off the Northeastern corner of Boston Common. The church was built in 1809 and was the tallest building in Boston until 1867.

Park Street Church has traditionally focussed on missions, evangelical doctrine, and the application of scripture to social issues. The church was called Brimstone Corner because of its strong missionary preaching and also because it stored gunpowder during the War of 1812.

The church still plays a part in social issues in Boston to this day. Countless societies and organizations have begun in this church. Popular historical figures have walked on its floors, delivered addresses, and preached sermons. This beautiful building holds so much history, good and bad.

Learn more about Park Street Church here. 

Granary Burying Ground

Shaded by Park Street Church, the Granary Burying ground holds the graves of notable figures such as Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Robert Treat Paine, all of whom signed the Declaration of Independence.

My personal favorite burial site is for Mary Goose, who is claimed to be the original Mother Goose. This is unlikely, but I love when locals band together to bring credibility to a claim. Teamwork.

Members of Benjamin Franklin’s family are buried here, though not Ben himself. He is buried in Philadelphia.

Although the burying site was pretty crowded, walking amongst the flat grave stones in the shade of the trees was strangely relaxing. I like cemetaries, mostly because people are quieter out of respect for the dead. The reflective atmosphere is calming.

King’s Chapel and Burying Ground

Continuing North, on the corner of School Street and Tremont Street, you will find King’s Chapel. The current structure was completed in 1754. King’s Chapel Bell was broken in 1814 and recast by the Revere Foundry, and was the last one cast by Paul Revere himself.

The burying ground is not directly associated with the church, it is just located directly next to the church. King’s Chapel Burying Ground was founded in 1630 and was the first graveyard in the city of Boston.

There have been more than one thousand people buried in this small space, but less than 600 grave and foot stones can be seen. This is due in part to rearranging the headstones in straight rows to improve visitors’ experience.

Learn more about King’s Chapel tours on their website.

Boston Latin School

The Boston Latin School is a public school in Boston, though it does require you to pass an exam to enter. The school was established in 1635, and is the oldest public school in America.

Puritans wanted their children to have a good education in order to be able to read the Bible. Latin was a priority in schools for this reason. Boston Latin School has prepared many students for Harvard, and as of 2015 has produced four Harvard University presidents.

In front of the school you will see a statue of Benjamin Franklin. He was a former student of the school and marks the school’s original location. Boston Latin School is still in session to this day, it has just moved location to Southwestern Boston, close to Harvard Medical School.

Old Corner Bookstore

The Old Corner Bookstore was constructed in 1718 and is downtown Boston’s oldest commercial building. The store was the home of Ticknor and Fields, a 19th century publishing company.

Famous works such as Walden, The Scarlet Letter, and the Star-Spangled Banner were published here.

Being me, I read bookstore and got excited, but this building is no longer a bookstore. It is actually a Chipotle (HA). The building was saved from demolition in 1960 thanks to the leasees of the building, so thanks Chipotle for saving this historical place.

Across the street from the Old Corner Bookstore/ Chipotle, you will see the Irish Famine Memorial, and perhaps a busker dressed in 19th century attire talking about what happened back then.

Old South Meeting House

This building is one were many history-shaking meetings took place. The Boston Tea Party was devised in this very building. Puritan sermons, important public meetings, and tea tax debates all occured in the Old South Meeting House.

Additionally, the building was a place where people from all walks of life could gather and discuss important issues that affected the community. While the meeting house is reknowned as the place where the Boston Tea Party was organized, the building’s importance surpasses that.

Today, the Old South Meeting House is a museum, a National Historic Landmark, and an active center for civic dialogue and free expression. Learn more about the museum here.

Old State House

Yet another landmark and museum, the Old State House was built in 1713 and is one of the oldest public buildings in the United States. The building has served as many things over the years: the seat of colony government, the seat of state government, city hall, and has even been used for commercial purposes.

The Old State House sits surrounded by tall modern buildings and really stands out among them. The historical museum will teach you more about the Boston Massacre and how Boston played a major part in the American Revolution (understatement).

Learn more about the Old State House and how you can visit the museum here. 

Site of the Boston Massacre

The Boston Massacre occured right outside the Old State House and is marked by a cobblestone ring in front of it. Refered to as the Incedent of King Street if you’re British, the Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770.

Long story short, there was a mob around British soldiers that started over a confrontation between two men. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five civilians and injuring others. It was chaos.

This event was a major turning point, indicating the declining relationship between Britain and the colonies. The massacre occured about five years before any outright war.

Faneuil Hall

This is a popular area in Boston. As I approached, I noticed an increase in the number of people, though Boston is pretty crowded anyway. Faneuil Hall is a popular marketplace and shopping area. You are bound to find good food and some form of entertainment.

Historically speaking, Faneuil Hall is a place made famous by the orators who spoke there. Think “no taxation without representation”. Samuel Adams, George Washington, Susan B. Anthony, Bill Clinton, and Ted Kennedy have all spoken in these hallowed halls.

Faneuil Hall has more than earned its nickname, the “Cradle of Liberty”.

Paul Revere House

If you want to see two of Boston’s oldest homes, the Paul Revere and Pierce/Hichborn Houses stand amidst countless Italian restaurants and bakeries. Yes, food is important.

Paul Revere lived in this house from 1770 – 1800. The homes are now a museum where you can watch reinactments, learn about traditional crafts and music, and listen to historical tales.

Learn more about the Paul Revere House and how you can visit here.

Old North Church

If you continue walking in a Northeastern direction along the Freedom Trail, you will find the Paul Revere Mall with a statue of the man himself atop a horse. This is fitting because his historic ride began at the Old North Church located at the North end of the Mall.

Old North Church was built in 1723 and Revere’s ride took place in 1775. The church remained a popular historic location after Longfellow’s poem The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere became something of a hit in 1860s.

Although Longfellow took many liberties in his poem, people still look at the Old North Church and think “One by land, two by sea”, referring to the signals of the lanterns lit in the church’s steeple. One lantern, if the British are moving by land, and two if by water. Simple enough.

Oh, and Paul Revere was not the only person taking place in the midnight ride, his name just sounded the best. William Dawes accompanied him along with 30 other riders.

Visit the Old North Church and take a tour if it suits your fancy. 

Copp’s Hill Burying Ground

You can never have too many cemetaries on a walking tour. The Copp’s Hill Burying Ground is the second oldest in Boston. It holds a few notable people, and is worth a stroll on your way through the Freedom Trail.

USS Constitution

Make sure that you have your ID with you if you want to visit the USS Constitution. You will have to go through security prior to entering. The oldest commissioned warship, the USS Constitution was launched in Boston in 1797. The ship was a major player in the War of 1812.

You can tour the ship itself, and walk through some exhibits in another building. It is free to tour ‘Old Ironside'(the ship). The USS Constitution is permanently docked in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Bunker Hill Monument

As you cross North Washington Street Bridge, you will see the Bunker Hill Monument in the distance. The height becomes more and more impressive the closer you get. You can go inside and climb the stairs to the top for free, but if you are anything like me you are super tired of walking at this point and going up 294 stairs sounds like the worst sort of torture.

The monument is surrounded by a lovely park. You could have a nice picnic there. I honestly envy people who live in the surrounding area. The houses are adorable and they can walk by here every day. Ah, dreams.

The Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, was the first major battle of the Revolutionary War. It was a bloody battle where many were killed or wounded. The monument began construction 50 years after the battle took place and took about 17 years to complete.

The museum sits across the street from the monument. You can spend some time here exploring and learning more.

Feel Like a History Buff

I don’t claim to be super knowledgeable when it comes to American History. I learned it all in school, and a lot of that information has been overtaken by something that my brain deemed more important.

When I tour places like the Freedom Trail in Boston, all of my previous lessons seems to rush right back into my brain and I feel like a history buff. I love that feeling of knowledge coming back into my memory, and I hope that it will stick around for a while.

Boston is by far one of the coolest cities I have visited in the US. I highly recommend visiting if you love history, or if you just like a clean city with good food and lots to do.

Have you visited the Freedom Trail? What site most resonates with you?

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