Boston Common

The Boston Common (also known as the Common) is a central public park in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes erroneously called the "Boston Commons".

History

The Boston Common consists of 50 acres (20 hectares) of land bounded by Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street, Charles Street, and Boylston Street. The park is the oldest city park in the United States.

The current incarnation of the Boston Common dates back to 1817, when it was created as a public park by the City of Boston. Prior to that, it had been used as a grazing area for cattle, as a training ground for militiamen, and as a site for executions.

The Common is home to a number of monuments and statues, including the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, the Massachusetts State House, and the Boston Massacre Memorial. It is also a popular spot for picnics, Frisbee, walking, and other outdoor activities.

In the winter, the Common is transformed into a giant playground for ice skating and sledding. The park is also home to a number of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Fourth of July celebration, the Boston Freedom Trail 5K, and the annual Santa Claus Day Parade.

The Boston Common is a central part of the city's history and identity, and has been featured in countless films and television shows set in Boston. It truly is one of the most iconic places in all of Boston.

Notable Features

The most notable feature of the Boston Common is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The monument was built in 1877 to honor the soldiers and sailors who fought in the American Civil War. It features a bronze sculpture of a Union soldier atop a granite pedestal, surrounded by four cannon.

The Robert Gould Shaw Memorial is another significant monument on the Common. The memorial is a bronze relief sculpture that depicts Colonel Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment marching off to war. The regiment was one of the first all-black military units in the United States, and their story was famously told in the film "Glory".

The Massachusetts State House is also located on the Boston Common. The State House is the seat of government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and has been in use since 1798. The building is easily recognizable by its golden dome, which was originally covered in copper but was later gilded with gold leaf.

The Boston Massacre Memorial is a granite obelisk that marks the site of the Boston Massacre, which took place on March 5, 1770. The memorial was erected in 1876 to commemorate the victims of the massacre.

The Boston Common is also home to a number of statues and sculptures, including "Make Way for Ducklings", "Commonwealth", and "The Puritan".

How To Visit

The Boston Common is open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is easily accessible by public transportation, and is a short walk from many of Boston's attractions.

Information provided by United Property Restoration Services.