Boston Getaway - Part 5 - On The Freedom Trail to the North End

Now, even though we are heading south on "The Freedom Trail", we will actually be in what's called the "North End" area of Boston.  Also, known as "Little Italy".  This area is full of historic sites and alot of the streets are still cobblestone.

As we cross over the Charlestown bridge, Stijn spots the "Boston TD Garden".  Formally known as "Boston Garden".  Read here for a little history.  So of course we must go in and get him a Bruins hat.

As we continue following the 2.5 mile red line that marks the Freedom Trail, we come to our next stop.  The second oldest cemetery in Boston, "Copp's Hill Burying Ground". 

I don't know about you, but the old headstones amaze me and I do enjoy walking through old cemeteries and taking pictures.

During the Revolution, the burying ground's prominent location overlooking the harbor gave it a strategic military importance and the British used it to aim thir cannons on Charlestown during the Battle of Bunker Hill.  The British soldiers also used the gravestones for target practice and you can see the bullet holes on some of the gravestones. 

Only about 2,200 gravestones remain.  In 1838 new walking paths were installed and the gravestones were moved and arranged in rows. Consequently, many of the gravestones no longer mark the location of their owner’s grave.

We make our way now to the "Old North Church".  You know, the church where Sexton, Robert Newman displayed lanterns to warn Paul Revere and others of British troop movements.  "One if by land, two if by sea".

Built in 1723, Old North Church is the oldest church building in Boston.  It also contains the oldest American church bells which were cast in Gloucester, England and installed in 1745.

Arriving at the address of 19 North Square, we see the oldest building in downtown Boston.  Built around 1680, this house was the home of "Paul Revere", who lived here from 1770 to 1800.

I love the neighborhood in this area.  Looks like a couple of places I've been in Europe.

Well, it's time for some lunch before continuing on our trek.  We decided to go ahead and be total tourists and eat at "ye olde Union Oyster House". 

The Union Oyster House is the oldest restaurant in Boston and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the U.S. — the doors have always been open to diners since 1826.

Did you know that the toothpick was first used in the United States at the Union Oyster House. Enterprising Charles Forster of Maine first imported the picks from South America. To promote his new business he hired Harvard boys to dine at the Union Oyster House and ask for toothpicks.

I do love raw oysters, but today was a kind of hot bowl of clam chowder day!

Next stop, is to the middle of it all, "Faneuil Market Place".