Boston's Historic Freedom Trail, part 1
25.05.2022
The USS Constitution, launched in 1797, is the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel; she is most noted for her contributions in the War of 1812 against Great Britain, when she captured numerous merchant ships and defeated 5 British warships
The Warren Tavern, founded in 1780 and named after General Joseph Warren, one of the revolutionary leaders killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill, is reportedly one of the oldest pubs in MA and one of the most historic watering holes in the country
The Old North Church, built in 1723, is the oldest standing church building in Boston; it's the location from which the famous 'One if by land, two if by sea' signal is said to have been sent prompting Paul Revere's midnight ride of April 18, 1775
The Leonard Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, completed in 2003 as part of the Big Dig (the most expensive highway construction project in US history at the time), spans the Charles River and connects Boston and Charlestown
The skinniest house in Boston, across from Copp's Hill Burying Ground, is 4 stories but only 10.4 feet at its widest point facing Hull St tapering to 9.25 ft wide at the back; the 2 bedroom, 1 bath home with 1165 sq ft sold for $1.25 million in 2021
Two centuries after the original signal lanterns alerted colonists, President Ford began the nation's bicentennial celebration by lighting what is called the Third Lantern as a new signal to guide our country with hope and fortitude into its third century
The 1759 Johnston organ in the Old North Church was the first constructed of parts totally sourced within the colonies; nowadays, the bellows operate with electricity but, in the event of a power failure, it's still possible to use the original hand pump
This equestrian statue of Paul Revere was modeled in 1885, then cast in bronze in 1940 for this installation; depicting Revere's famous midnight ride, the statue (Old North Church in the background) is one of the most photographed spots in all of Boston
The Paul Revere House, built c. 1680, was his colonial home during the time of the American Revolution; the oldest house in downtown Boston, it was one of the first historic homes in America opened to the public when it began receiving visitors in 1908
Faneuil Hall, built in 1742, has been called the Cradle of Liberty for it was here that colonists first protested against the Sugar Act in 1764 and established the 'No taxation without representation' slogan
The Old State House (1713) is renowned for hosting the first elected legislature in the New World; it is the oldest public building in Boston and today hosts a museum where visitors can see John Hancock's coat and tea from the Boston Tea Party
Boston Common was used as a camp by the British before the American Revolutionary War, from which they left for the Battle of Lexington and Concord; Frog Pond is home to the summer spray pool but is transformed into an ice skating rink in winter
Boston Common marks the start of the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail which is easily followed thanks to pavers on the sidewalk; this bronze 1869 equestrian statue of George Washington sits in Boston's Public Garden, directly adjacent to Boston Common
The original King's Chapel (1754) bell, cast in England, was hung in 1772 but cracked in 1814 and was recast by Paul Revere; it's the largest bell cast by the Revere foundry, the last one cast during Revere's lifetime, and has been rung at services ever since
John Hancock served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of Massachusetts; before the Revolution, he was also one of the wealthiest men in the colonies, having inherited a mercantile business from his uncle
The Boston Latin School was established on April 23, 1635, making it both the oldest public school in the Americas and the oldest existing school in the US; on its original site is the old Boston City Hall, completed in 1865
The Old South Meeting House, built in 1729, gained fame as the organizing point for the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773; five thousand or more colonists gathered at the Meeting House, the largest building in Boston at the time
Sam Adams's 1768 Massachusetts Circular Letter calling for colonial non-cooperation led to the city's occupation by the British resulting in the 1770 Boston Massacre; Adams had been a brewer, leading the Boston Beer Company in 1985 to introduce Samuel Adams Boston Lager
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