Our Boston Getaway Ends And So Does The Freedom Trail

 

As you can see from the picture above, we are about halfway through the "Freedom Trail".  In the middle of it all!

If you've missed my previous posts, just click here to catch up!

Remember the "New State House" from Part 1?

Well, this is the "Old State House". 

Sitting in a tower of skyscrapers, the Old State House has stood here since 1713.  It played a central role in the story of rebellion, from the Boston Massacre in 1770, which sparked the fires of revolution, to the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony in 1776.  During a visit in 1789, George Washington watched a parade from the balcony.

Across the street is "Faneuil Hall" , nicknamed "The Cradle of Liberty". 

Built in 1742 by a prominent wealthy merchant of French descent, Peter Faneuil gave this building as a gift to the town of Boston.  Nice guy!

We spent some time strolling through the "Faneuil Hall Marketplace", which is comprised of Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market.  

Quincy Market

This historic marketplace is now an area full of dining options, gift shops and shopping!

There are several cemeteries in Boston and "The Granary Burying Ground" is one where 5,000 people are buried.  Yet there are only approximately 2,345 gravestones and tombs at this site.

And remember, strangely enough, I like walking through old cemeteries.

But at least in this cemetery there are some people I've heard of!

Like Samuel Adams

and John Hancock, two signers of the "Declaration of Independence"

Even Paul Revere is buried here.

But the most interesting is the grave of the famed "Mother Goose".

She's not listed in the burial registrar in Boston, but apparently, she's also buried at St. Olave’s Church in London, England. There she is actually listed in the burial registrar:1586 September 14th, Mother Goose.

It's been a glorious day, following along the "Freedom Trail" taking in glimpes of heritage!

Our trip to Historic Boston came to an end and so we say "Good-Bye and Good Night, Boston".

Though it may seem like I posted every picture I have, believe it or not there are more!  Just click here "Where's Debbie" and then click on the album "The End of the Freedom Trail"

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".