4th of July

The Freedom Trail In A Nutshell

The Freedom Trail is 2.5 miles long and takes you to 16 of Boston's most historic places. It's a great activity for tourists, or residents who have never experienced historic Boston. Here are the 16 stops on The Freedom Trail.

1. Boston Common
It is America's oldest public park.Originally it was a place where townspeople's cows would graze but later became used for military purposes. It was also used as a British Army camp.

2. Massachusetts State House
Charles Bulfinch designed the state house which was completed on January 11th, 1798. The notorious golden dome which sits atop it was originally made of wood, until Paul Revere covered it with copper to prevent it from leaking. The building still houses government employees for the state of Massachusetts today.

3. Park Street Church
The church was founded in 1809. On February 27, 1809, ten people gathered at William Thurston's mansion on Beacon Hill to discuss organizing the church.

4. Granary Burying Ground
It is known for beautifully carved stone markers. Some of the most famous people in American history are buried there such as John Hancock, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, James Otis, the five Boston Massacre victims, Benjamin Franklin's parents and Peter Faneuil.

5. King's Chapel
It was constructed in 1688 by the Royal Governor on the town burying ground. This location was chosen since nobody in the city would sell him land to build a non-Puritan church. The chapel was used by the King's men to enforce British law. Paul Revere made the Chapel's 2,347 pound bell in 1816.

6. Benjamin Franklin Statue/Boston Latin School
The school was America's first public school. Boys could go there for free, while girls had to attend private schools in peoples' homes. In 1972, the school allowed girls to attend it.  Benjamin Franklin attended classes there and soon dropped out of school forever afterwards. The school still operates today.

7. Old Corner Book Store
The original building was destroyed in The Great Fire of 1711. It was replaced by a building constructed by Dr. Thomas Crease in 1718. It was build on the corner of School and Washington Streets.

8. Old South Meeting House
It was built in 1729 and was used as a Puritan house of worship. During the time of the Revolution, it was Boston's largest building. The Boston Tea Party was started here after Samuel Adams said "this meeting can do nothing more to save the country!" Colonists and the Sons of Liberty then proceeded to the waterfront to dump 342 chests of tea into the harbor.

9. Old State House
Constructed in 1713, it served as the seat of the British Colonial government until the end of the Revolution 1776. It was then used as Massachusetts' state house until 1798.

10. Boston Massacre Site
The Boston Massacre happened in the square in front of the Old State House. Colonists were throwing rocks at and taunting British soldiers. The soldiers open fired, killing five of the colonists. It was one of the major events leaving up to the American Revolution.

11. Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall is also known as the 'Cradle of Liberty'. The first floor was Boston's main market place and the second floor was a meeting place. A statue of Samuel Adams is in front of Faneuil Hall in dedication of his effort in convincing colonists to unite and fight against British oppression.

12. Paul Revere House
This is the house that Paul Revere lived in when he made his famous 'midnight ride' to warn the minutemen in Lexington of the British troops.  Revere bought the house in 1770, but it was originally built in 1680 and is currently the oldest house in downtown Boston.

13. Old North Church
It was used by Robert Newman on April 18, 1775 to let Paul Revere know the British troops had arrived by sea. Newman hung lanterns in the tower of the church.

14. Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Second to King's Chapel's, it is the oldest burying ground in Boston.  Many early colonials are buried here, including Robert Newman. There are also close to 1,000 freed African-American slaves buried there as well.

15. USS Constitution
It is the oldest commissioned warship in the world and is currently operated by an active U.S. Navy crew. Tours of the entire ship are available.

16. Bunker Hill Monument
Perhaps one of the most historical sites in the country, this is where the first major battle of the American Revolution was fought. The battle, fought on June 17, 1775, was the first battle the Colonial forces held their own against the British army. A 221-foot granite obelisk sits atop the hill.

What Now?
View the ABC's Of Boston Slideshow

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)