Our second official day in Boston began where we had left off the day before...on the Freedom Trail. Seeing the red brick trail during our casual stroll around the city on Saturday, we started Sunday on a mission. To tackle at least a good part of this 2.5-mile, brick-lined route that leads you to 16 historically significant sites throughout Boston.
To learn more about the Freedom Trail and get a map of its historic sites... Go HERE
The State House, built in 1798, is located across from the Boston Common on the top of Beacon Hill. The land was once owned by Massachusetts first elected governor, John Hancock.
Founded in 1660, the Granary is the third oldest burying ground in Boston proper. In 1737, when grain was stored where the present Park Street Church stands, the burying ground was renamed the Granary. Along with Massachussetts Governors, Clergymen, and Mayors, three signers of the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Robert Treat Paine, are buried here.
Approximately 5000 people are buried at Granary even though there are only 2300 headstones. Since funerals were expensive, there would be one headstone per family. Each grave contains at least 20 bodies.
And although not TECHNICALLY on the Freedom Trail, one thing that Chad and I wanted to do before our trip was over was to ride one of Boston's Duck Tours :) It did, after all, take us by some historically significant places. :) Quack, Quack!
Our captain, Paul Reverse :)
Taking the tour to the Charles River :)
The Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge
Site of the Boston Massacre - March 5, 1770
The Old State House was the center of all political life and debate in colonial Boston. On July 18, 1776, citizens gathered in the street to hear the Declaration of Independence read from the building's balcony, the first public reading in Massachusetts. The Royal Governor presided here until the new State House was built on Beacon Hill in 1798.
