Freedom Walk in Boston

On this day I decided to do the Freedom Walk through Boston which takes you to all the major historical sites. Starting from my hotel which is about a half mile from the start I walked 7 mile I think in total start to end.

This is the State Capitol building. I wasn't able to go inside unfortunately because they are closed on the weekend which I couldn't believe. So I've only got some shots of the outside. It reminds me of the Capitol in Des Moines with the gold dome. 

This is the Boston Common Park which is where I watched the fireworks for the 4th. It's in the middle of the city and a pretty nice park. Besides green spaces they have some areas for sports.

This is the Granary Cemetary where many famous Revolutionists are buried like Sam Adams, Paul Revere, and Ben Franklin.

Franklin's monument

I happened to walk by the Old City Hall, I'm not to sure where the new one is. 

Mosaic dedicated to school children outside City Hall

The Old South Meeting House. This used to be a church and back in the Revolution is served at a meeting place for the like of Sam Adams and Ben Franklin in the events leading up to the Revolution.

The Old State House.

This building served at the seat of the British Colonial Government. 

Some Redcoats

Royal coat of arms. A lion on the left and unicorn on the right. I believe this is original to the building with some damage. 

Most of Boston is made up of landfill. Here's old vs new Boston. 

Full royal coat of arms

The Declaration of Independence was first read to the public from this balcony

Site of the Boston Massacre

Faneuil Hall and Marketplace

Faneuil Hall served as a public meeting place for the public and many meetings/speeches against British rule were given here. Besides a meeting hall this are has been a central marketplace for the city since the mid-1700s. There's still a lot of small shops and restaurants in this square. 

Peter Faneuil who paid for the marketplace and hall to be build

Where I had lunch, they had a pretty good burger

These are some more shots of the old part of Boston when I was inbetween sites

Paul Revere

The Old North Church

This is the famous church where Paul Revere was to ride and light the lantern in the steeple if he saw the British coming

Some more shots of Boston. I was walking across the river to see the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill

Bunker Hill

This is the monument and site to the Battle of Bunker Hill. This was one of the first battle fought for the Revolution. The colonists built a redoubt on the hill to defend against a British landing just outside of Boston. While the British managed to take the hill they lost about a third of their army but the colonists were able to regroup with fewer casualities. 

This is Colonel William Prescott who commanded the militia on Bunker Hill. He is famous for saying "don't fire till you see the white of their eyes" at the battle. 

Portrait of the battle

The start to the stairs to the top, I believe there are 300 TALL steps. 

Finally at the top

Views from the top

USS Constitution

The USS Constitution was built right before the War of 1812 and is the oldest war ship afloat in the world. The British have the HMS Victory which is an older ship but is permanently dry docked. Her is nickname is "old ironsides" after being in a battle with a British ship and the cannon balls bouncing off her sides. She's made out of live oak which is the denser than anything the British built their ships with and very strong. The ship is still sailed and manned by the Navy so to get on the ship you go through the same security as the airport so absolutley no knives. I actually had to come back the next day after the freedom since I didn't know this.