B-N 15 - Boston, Suffolk Co. - Newton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts - U.S. Historic Survey Stones and Monuments on Waymarking.com

At the border between the cities of Boston and Newton, and between Suffolk and Middlesex Counties, is a square monument that is designated B-N 15.

The marker is located along Beacon Street, about 150 ft west of the intersection with Chestnut Hill Drive/Chestnut Hill Road, and about 100 ft west and on the same side of the road (south) of a stone building that is a waterworks gate house.

The monument is located about 6 inches from the sidewalk, and about 6 ft from the road curb. It is about four inches above the surface of the ground. On the top is the letter 'N' and a simple arrow pointing toward the sidewalk.

This marker is at the location of B-N 15 in the Historic Atlas on the Massachusetts Highway Department web site. The description for this marker is as follows:

"Boston-Newton 15
Location.-The corner is situated in the southerly line of Beacon Street, at a point of tangency opposite the easterly end of the Lawrence basin of the Chestnut Hill reservoir, and about 100 feet west of the hate-house opposite the drive-way between the two basins.
Mark.-The corner mark is a granite monument 3 feet in height an 10 x 10 inches in section, dressed on all faces three feet down from the top. The letter B is cut on the northerly face, and N on the top, with a crow-foot at the top front edge to indicate that the northerly face of the stone is set on the line."

Much has changed since this description. First, as mentioned, the stone is now only inches high, but the description of the top of the monument is similar. Second, the Lawrence Basin of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir is no longer visible - it is underground. What is visible, instead, are the athletic fields for Boston College. The main reservoir (now only used for backup) is still visible to the east.

The boundary was originally between Newton and Brighton, until Brighton was annexed to Boston in 1874. At this time, the boundary was shifted from over the Chestnut Hill Reservoir to the present location. The present monument must be younger, but I don't know when these replaced the previous monument, so the original date was used, below.

The monument is in good condition.

Monumentation Type: Dressed stone Monument Category: County/Municipal boundary marker Accessible to general public: yes Historical significance: Marks the boundary between Boston and Newton. Originally, it was between Newton and Brighton until Brighton was annexed to Boston in 1874. The line also moved to the present location at that time. Monument Website: [Web Link] County: Suffolk and Middlesex USGS Quad: Newton, Mass. Approximate date of monument: 01/01/1874 Monumentation Type (if other): Not listed Monument Category (if other): Not listed Explain Non-Public access: Not listed NGS PID: Not listed Other Coordinates: Not Listed Other Coordinates details: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
1. A closeup photo of the monument is required.
______
2. A 'distant' photo including the monument in the view is highly recommended. Include the compass direction you faced when you took the picture.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.