Boston Common - Boston, MA
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 42° 21.256 W 071° 03.925
19T E 329895 N 4691177
Boston Common is considered the oldest public park in the United States, and, with the Boston Public Garden next to it, offers a natural and recreational oasis in the center of the city.
Waymark Code: WM3MTK
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 04/21/2008
Views: 90
The Boston Common is at a central location in Boston, and, certainly is a central focal point for urban activity. There is so much here, and the official web site from the Boston Park and Recreation Department and a pdf that has a link from the same web site tell the story in detail. It's included (
visit link) I'll only highlight some of the history and features of this venerable location.
It is claimed in the brochure that Boston Common was founded in 1634, four years after the founding of Boston, itself, when they purchased 50 acres land for $150 from William Blackstone (the first resident of the old Shawmut Penninsula) to set aside for training and grazing, like they had back in England.
The common is a historical location where:
- Cows were allowed to graze (and it is said, though likely not true, that the paths that the cows walked along became the windy, narrow streets of today).
- People were hanged, including "witches" and people of Quaker faith
- British Soldier encamped in the mid 1700s
- People rallied including protests, civil rights (including one by Martin Luther King)
- Catholic Pope John Paul II held a Mass.
- First Night celebration activities are held, including ice sculpture exhibits
There are many other things to list, briefly:
- The Central Burying Ground is a cemetery that was the pauper's graves.
- Park Street and Boylston T Stations mark the beginning and ending of America's first subway.
- Performing arts include the free Shakespeare play in the summer and other gatherings.
- The start of the Freedom Trail is from a tourist information booth near the Park Street Station.
Come by to rest for a bit!