B-N 16 Boston, Suffolk Co. - Newton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts - U.S. Historic Survey Stones and Monuments on Waymarking.com

On the border between the cities of Boston and Newton and between the counties of Suffolk and Middlesex, and along Beacon Street, is this square marker.

The marker is on the south side of Beacon Street, the same side as the houses. On the other side of the street is the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, which once was a primary storage facility for drinking water, but now is only used for back up. The marker is under a thick hedge of bushes - at this time cleared near the base to make the marker easy to see. It is about a foot from the sidewalk, and about 10 ft from the brick steps to the walkway to a brick house.

The marker is about 12 inches square and about 4 inches high toward the bush and about 6 inches high toward the sidewalk. At the top is the letter 'N' (for Newton) and a basic arrow pointing toward the edge facing the sidewalk.

The Historical Atlas on the MassHighway web site has the following about this marker:

"Boston-Newton 16

Location.-The corner is situated in the face of the retaining wall on the southwesterly side of Beacon street, at a point about 350 feet southeast of the driveway between the two basins of the Chestnut Hill reservoir, and 25 feet southeast of a driveway entrance to a private estate.
Mark.-The corner mark is a granite monument three feet in height and 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 indecate that the northerly face of the stone is set on the line."

Things have changed some since the writing in the atlas. There is no retaining wall at this location. Also, the monument is much shorter than the one described. Thus, this is probably a replacement monument. The line itself was established in 1874 when Brighton was annexed to Boston and the line with Newton was redrawn in this area. Thus, the year that the line was established is specified below.

The marker appears to be in good shape.

Monumentation Type: Dressed stone Monument Category: County/Municipal boundary marker Accessible to general public: yes Historical significance: This monument is along a municipal and county line between Boston, Suffolk Co., and Newton, Middsesex County. The line was established in 1874. Monument Website: [Web Link] County: Boston, Suffolk Co., and Newton, Middlesex Co. 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.
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2. A 'distant' photo including the monument in the view is highly recommended. Include the compass direction you faced when you took the picture.

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