Boston: Sites & History

Beacon Street Mall Out of the original five malls that enhanced the beauty of the Common, the Beacon Street Mall is the best preserved. It still has the original fence and flanking rows of trees, reminiscent of the nineteenth-century Common. Blaxton’s Memorial Tablet Created in 1913 by R. Clipson Stugis . The tablet, with words taken from a 1684 speech about the founding of the Common in 1634. The testimony was given by four elderly men who were among the first Boston inhabitants. “For generations, this testimony has been cited as evidence that the lawful owners of the Common are the people of Boston.” [1] Boston Massacre Memorial A bronze figure that represents Revolution breaking the chains of Tyranny. Designed by Robert Kraus in 1888, the bas relief depicts the events, which occurred in front of the Old State House on March 5, 1770. Brewer Fountain Built in 1868 by Paul Liénard with statues by Mathurin Moreau . The fountain debuted at ...

The Long Path , as it was originally known, is the long mall running from Beacon at the Joy St entrance across the length of the common to the corner of Boylston and Tremont St. The Long Path was made famous by Wendell’s Autocrat of the Breakfast Table . In fact, it was in his The Autocrat of the Breakfast table , that Wendell said that the “Boston State House is the hub of the solar system.” [1] Therefore, the path was renamed the Holmes Path in honor of the writer. It is said that Oliver Wendell, a neighbor of Beacon Hill, was walking along the path with Amelia Lee Jackson when the following conversation took place: "Will you take the long path with me? –Certainly,– said the schoolmistress with much pleasure –Think,–I said, –before you answer; if you take the long path with me now, I shall interpret it that we are to part no more. She answered softly, I will walk the long path with you!" [2] Wendell, a great writer and admirer of the grounds, wrote a...

  The Frog Pond sits at the heart of the Common. During winter the Pond is converted into an ice rink where you can skate. In the spring and fall the pond serves as a relaxing reflecting pool, where families and friends gather. In the summer the pond is a spray pool with a children’s carousel close by. Furthermore, you can buy refreshments at the Frog Pond Café . The Frog Pond has a long history, it is the only of the three ponds found in the early Common to survive today. During colonial years a ducking stool was used to submerge sinners of all kinds. The Frog Pond was once a mere mud hole that was curbed to create a miniature lake. The Pond was reshaped from its original form in 1826 and in 1848, a splendid fountain with a jet of water 90 feet high was added. [1]   No wonder why in 1848, the citizens of Boston felt the Frog Pond was the perfect place for the Water Celebration.   This was an activity to commemorate the city’s...