Heads or Tails and The Boston Common
This weeks theme over at Heads or Tails is “Common”.
This is my thought on that!
Have you ever heard the term Boston Common? I have and I never knew what it was. Did you know that it is a park? A very old park.
The starting point of the Freedom Trail, Boston Common is the oldest park in the country. The park is almost 50 acres in size.
Today, Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston’s neighborhoods.
The “Common” has been used for many different purposes throughout its long history. Until 1830, cattle grazed the Common, and until 1817, public hangings took place here. British troops camped on Boston Common prior to the Revolution and left from here to face colonial resistance at Lexington and Concord in April, 1775.
Notable Dates:
1634 Each household was charged six schillings to buy “The Commonage”
1640 Citizens passed an ordinance preventing changes in land use with popular vote
1646 Grazing was restricted to 70 milk cows but 4 sheep could be substituted per cow
1660 Mary Dyer and three other Quakers were hanged on the Common
1675 First walkway created on Boston Common
1728 First tree lined pedestrian mall, Tremont street edge
1769 Gallows replaced hanging tree
1817 Gallows removed
1830 Cows banned by ordinance
1837 Public Garden established on filled in land west of common
1910-1913 Olmstead brothers oversee massive landscape renovation
Source: Boston Common Management Plan, City of Boston, Boston Parks and Recreation Commission, December 1990.
Ohhhh.. I love historical places like this! I’ve heard of the Boston Commons but never knew all those facts. Thanks for filling me in. I hope the cows found a new place to live.
The link you used in Mr. Linkie didn’t work for me, but I found you anyway. Thanks for playing.
Skittless last blog post..Heads Or Tails #83 – Common
Very interesting.
Thank you for stopping by
Simones last blog post..Common
I knew the word but had no inkling of the Boston Common’s history. Enjoyed reading…
Tumblewordss last blog post..Haiku for Heads or Tails
Sounds like a great place to hang out!
Autumns last blog post..Common
Thank you for visiting my HOTs today… and the prayers… Thank You.
I knew a bit about ‘the commons’… but you added to my knowledge… love the pixs too.
Graces last blog post..Heads or Tails (HOTS) – Common
I am reading your post for my betterment and learning. I always wanted to learn atleast something everyday. Today I’ve learned from your site. London Heathrow Airport
that looks beautiful. thanks for the bit of history lesson. i love history!
Tinas last blog post..ECO-FRIENDLY CANDLES
Enjoyed this story and the pictures. Makes me want to go on vacation. Also appreciated the historical references that you provided. Today more than ever citizens of this country need to reconnect to our unique history and be vigilant in making sure that we do not lose everything it has provided to make our country great.
Boston Common has a varied content. Reminds me to Venice. I enjoyed in your photos. I love attraction and nature in one place as here in the Boston Common.
Nice environment with great historical base!Interesting.Thanks for sharing with us!