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THK 
 
 STRANGER'S GUIDE 
 
 EXPLANATIONS 
 
 LOCATIO^^S, OBJECTS, ETC. 
 
 AS SEEN FHOM THE 
 
 BUNKER HILL 
 
 CHARLEST< 
 PRINTED FOR J. B. GOODNOW. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 In pointing oui the different views from thet^^-^ of 
 this monument, it becomes necessary to adopt a sys- 
 tematic course, in order that the spectator may un- 
 derstand the location of the different objects &c. poin- 
 ted out in this Guide. For this purpose, you will 
 commence with the window at the head of the 
 stairs, marked overiiead 
 
 EAST, * which is about Southeast. 
 
 From this window can be seen the Navy Yard, 
 which the spectator can easily distinguish bythe large 
 ship-houses, timber sheds, &c., within it, and the 
 wall that surrounds it. 
 
 On the north sile and nearly at the extreme left of 
 the yard, may be seen the llopewalk, said to be the 
 longetit and most perfect in the world. It is 1350 feet 
 in length, and there, is manufactured all t^.3 cordage 
 used in the U. S. Navy. 
 
 The long buildings are Timber sheds, wherein is 
 stored timi^er for U. S vessels. Those three large 
 buildi igs in front are ship houses: the middle one 
 contains the U S. ship Virginia, a vessel of the lar- 
 gest size, and of beautiful model. Since broken up. 
 At the right of the ship houses is seen the high 
 chimney of the foundry and machine shop, its heigh* 
 is 239 feet : beyond is seen the sea-wall, on which is 
 a battery of guns. 
 
 Within the sea-wall is an extensive Timber Dock; 
 at the right of this may be seen the Engine-house & 
 
 *The comers of the Monument nearly coincide with the 
 {I ii ,£ of the compass^. 
 
Workshop. Within the building are the Pumps for 
 pumping out the Dry-dock ; these pumps are so ca- 
 f acious, that twelve hogsheads of water are said to be 
 thrown at one stroke ; and the time occupied in pum- 
 ping out the dock, is about six hours. The Drj Dock 
 can be seen distinctly from this window, and is capa- 
 ble of containing a ship of the largest size, and is con- 
 structed entirely of hewn granite. It is 385 feet in 
 lengvh, 100 in width, and ;^3 in depth. At the right 
 is the long block of Store Houses (^'c, at the extreme 
 end of which is the Navy Yard gate, orprii.cipal en- 
 trance. Persons visiting Boston and its environs, 
 will be well repaid by spending an hour or two in tae 
 yard. Visitors are freely received every day except 
 on the Sabbath. It is about 1 mile in length and con- 
 tains some 60 ..cres. At the battle on this hill, the 
 British troops- landed not far from the lower ship- 
 house. As we extend our vie*r across Mjstic River, 
 (the body of water on our left,) the first object that 
 meets the eye is East Boston, formerly called Nod- 
 dle's Island, and more recently Williams' Island. 
 
 It is not as it seems to be from the top, a peninsula, , 
 but really an island, being navigable for small craft, , 
 entirely around it. It contained but ©neortwo hou- 
 ses, until 1832 ; since that time it has attained its 
 present size. This with the other islands in the har- 
 bor belong to Ward I, of the city of Boston At the 
 left, and nearly over the lower ship-house, in the < 
 Navy Yard, mavbe seen the Machine Shop of the i 
 Atlantic Iron Works. At the extreme right of i 
 this island, may be seen the landing place ol thef, 
 Cunard line of Steamers ; they may readily be distin- ■ 
 guished by their tall red chimneys. At this point, 
 also, is the landing of the East Boston Ferry Boats,, 
 and the Depot of the Eastern Railroad. 
 
 Over this point can be seen George's Island, (for- ■ 
 \uerW called Conant's) on which is a fortress, called J 
 
Fort "Warren ; and over the left side of thi«i islan-l, 
 can be seen the Long Island Light House, (uijper 
 light ; ) and further down the ha.bor. may be seen 
 the Boston (lowerj Lit^hthouse. This cannot be seen 
 except in clear weather ; its range is a little to the 
 left of the East Loston ^sugar House. 
 
 Fort Independence, on Castle Island, is the first 
 island that meets the eye, looking d.iwn the harbor, 
 between Boston and East Boston This fort has 
 command of t' e channel, which passes direciiy un- 
 der its guns, and is so narrow that two vessels can- 
 not pass abreast. 
 
 On this island is the dungeon in which the cele" 
 bratcd Stephen Burroughs was at one time confined, 
 and escaped by digging out, and knocking down the 
 sentinel placed at the door ol' his cell. 
 
 At the right of this is Thompson's Island, on 
 which s the Farm School. The other mos' prom- 
 inent islands in the harbor, are L)ter, Spectacle, 
 Hainsford, Moon, Nut, Sheep, Grape, Slate, Pump- 
 kin, Pettick's, Gallop, Lovell's. George's, (fortified) 
 Brewsters, Calf, Apple, the Graves, *; Gieen Islards. 
 
 From this window the spectator has a full view of 
 Boston Harbor, one of the besi, most commodious, 
 and beautiful in the world. It extends from .Nantas- 
 ket to the ci'y,and spreads from Chelsea and Na. ant 
 to Hingham, containing about seventy five square 
 miles, and is bespangled with upwards of one hun- 
 dred islands and rocks. 
 
 These islands are gradually wearing away, and 
 ■where large herds of cattle and floclcs of sl.eep were 
 pastured some s xty or seventy years ago. 'The 
 ocean now rolls its angry 1 illows, and lashes with an 
 overwhelming surge, the last remains of ?arth." 
 
 "We will now turn to the window at our right, 
 marked 
 
SOUTH, which is about Southwest 
 
 Before us stands Boston, " the city of notions," 
 •'the literary emporium of the western world," and 
 sometimes appropriately called "the metropolis of 
 New England." 
 
 It is situated on a peninsula, aboiit three miles in 
 length, and one in bieudih. lis surface is quite un- 
 even, and swells into two prouiinences, — Copp's and 
 Beacon Hills. Iialndiaii name was Snawmvit, after- 
 wards called Tri-Mountain. from which originates 
 the name Tremont. It received iis present name in 
 fa,onorof Kev. John Cotton, who was an emigrant 
 from Boston in England; and its name was contirm- 
 ed by an Act of Court, Sept. the 7th. I<i30, O S 
 
 It was incorporated a city in 1822. . Pr- sent pop- 
 ulation, (18SGJ about four hundred thousand. 
 Boston is the second commercial city in the Union, 
 and fifthin population. In 16-18, all the inhabitants 
 were accommodated in one church ; and now there 
 are nearly one hundred. There are over onehMudred 
 and fifty newspapers and magazines printed in the 
 city; contains about one hundred and fifty charita- 
 ble and literary societie.s, twelve hundred streets and 
 avenues, and one hundred and sixteen wharves. 
 
 The Burial Ground, seen on this side of Boston, 
 and a little at the left. is on Copp's Hill, where was 
 stationed the Briti. h artillery during txic battle. 
 
 The tomb of the rtnowned Increase and Cotton 
 Mather is in this burial ground The Gas Works 
 may be seen near the end of the first bridge, which is 
 tlie Charlestown, (or o'd) bridge. It was the first 
 built in this countrv. Near this bridge is the place 
 where two of the British vessels of war were station- 
 ed during the battle on this hill. The next bridge 
 ^ the rjcdit is Warren Bridge, near the terminus of 
 
^'hich is the Fitchbnrg Railroad Depot. The next 
 bridge is that of the Fitchburg Railroad ; the next, of 
 the Boston and Maine Kailroad, the next, the East- 
 ern Railroad, then the Boston and Lowell Kailroad, 
 and East Cambridge or Cragie's Bridge. The next 
 bridge, and leading from the west part of Boston, is 
 Cambridge Bridge ; the next is the Milldam or Wes- 
 tern Avenue ; and the next two; crossing each oth' r, 
 are the Boston and Albany, and the Boston di" Prov- 
 idence hailrcads — that turning to the right the for- 
 mer and that to the left, the latter. The State House 
 is the most prominent edifice wnich the spectator bo- 
 holds in Boston, its dome being two hundred and 
 thirty feet above the level of the sea. affording a fine 
 view of the city and harbor, ar.d the surrounding 
 country, second to none only from this monument. 
 
 South Boston is the first point bevond the city pro- 
 per. Those white buildintjs near and upon the first 
 elevation towards the right U' (1; tiiy buildings- 
 House of Correction, Industry, Aweluge, Alms, In- 
 sane Hospital &c. 
 
 Upon the next elevation may be seen the Perkins 
 Institution for the Blind. This elevation is Dor(h( s- 
 ter Heights, where Gen. AVashington stationed his 
 troops immediately pieceding the evacuation of Bos- 
 ton by the British. The fortifications may still be 
 seen, a Utile at the right of the asylum. 
 
 "We will now return to our starting point, i. e. the 
 extreme point of South Boston, and in that direction 
 in the distance, can be seen Quincy, I eing distin- 
 guished for its extensive quarries of granite. The 
 whole southwest part is one i. lid mass ( f grnnite, 
 rising to iheheight of six hundiodfeet above the lev- 
 el of the pea. The Quincy Kailroad, rui ning from 
 these quarries, was the first railroad constructed in 
 the United States, being built by the Quincy Kailroad 
 Company in 1826. Length, 3 miles; cost $32,loS 95 
 
8 
 
 exclusive of land, wharf, and cars. One of the quar- 
 ries is called the Willard, or Bunker Hill Quarry, 
 from the circumstance that this monument was built 
 of stone taken from this ledge. This town is noted, 
 also, for beinpr the residence of the hue ,)ohn Adams, 
 and his son, John Quincy AJams. both former Pres- 
 idents of the United States. The ?.!ansion is situa- 
 ted about half a mile northwest of the village 
 
 To the right cf this may be seen what was former- 
 ly the town of Dorchester, which was annexed to 
 Boston in 1871, and beyond is Milton, and is about 7 
 miles from Boston, Indian name, Matt^pan. 
 
 To the right, in the range of the western part of 
 Boston, is what was formerly Koxbu-y, and annexed 
 to Boston in 1869. It was incorporated a town in 
 1630, and a city in 1847. Washington street contin- 
 ues and is compactly built the entire length, being 
 over three miles in length. 
 
 Dr. Joseph "Warren, Major-General in the armies 
 of the United States, and who was killed in the bat- 
 tle on this hill, was a native of this town. 
 
 Extending the eye still to the right, is seen Brook- 
 line, one of the most pleasant towns that lie in the 
 vicinity of Boston : although bit little of its beauties 
 can be seen from the top, they neverthaless exist ; 
 and one would enjoy a ride through and aroimd it, 
 and be delighted by the magnificence and variety of 
 its scenery ; it is about five miles from the city, by 
 way of the Western Avenue. 
 
 Charlestown, as viewed from the window, presents 
 to the spectator no lofty domes, or splendid edifices, 
 but its general features present an interesting sight 
 to the beholder, and s^uch as i:eeds no comment. 
 
 Charlestown was settled in IHCS, and incorprrated i 
 a city in 1847 ; population in 1872,i.bout 30.000, and i 
 annexed to Boston in 1874. 
 
9 
 
 The buildings ou thebridcje are, the Enoine House 
 and Machine Shop of the Boston and !>raine Kail- 
 road Company. Still further and a little to the 
 right, is the Engine House of the Boston A: Lowell 
 Railroad. The scenery from this window is varied 
 and beautiful, and the lovers of the sublime will find 
 a rare feast while gazing from this side. We will 
 now leave this although reluctantly and turn to the 
 next, marked 
 
 WEST, whch is about Northwest, 
 
 And take for the starting point iho State Peniten- 
 tiary, in Charlestown, at the left, readily distinguish- 
 ed by its secure prisons, and high wall that sur- 
 roun's it, all being built of massive stone. Directly 
 across the water is seen East Cambridge, formerly 
 called Cragie's Point; the bridge connecting it with 
 Charlestown is called the Prison Point Bridge. Ex- 
 tending the eve still further, is seen Cambridge Port, 
 this, with East Cambridge, foiras a ]iart of the city 
 of Cambridge. Beyond the Port is Brighton, famous 
 for its weekly cattle fairs. We will now come back 
 to Charlestown, and start ofFin ano^^her direction. 
 A little to the left, can be seen the Burial Ground in 
 Charlestown ; and one ofitsmost prominent features 
 is the "Harvard MonT\ment," erected on the fifth 
 day of September, 1828, by the graduates of the Uni- 
 versity of Cambridge, in honor of its founder. Rev. 
 John Harvard, who died in Charlestown, Septem- 
 ber 26, 1628. 
 
 Extending the view across the water, is Fcen the 
 McLean Asylum for the Insane; beyond is Cam- 
 bridge ; this, together with Cambridge Port, and East 
 Cambridge forms the city of Cambridge, incorporated 
 in 1847. In this place is Harvard University, known 
 as Cambridge Colleges. Kcar this place is Mt, Au- 
 burn the great "City of the Dead " This place was 
 
10 
 
 consecrated with great ceremony, Sept. 24th, 1831. 
 
 Of all places around Boston this is most worthy of 
 a visit. It is situated about five miles from Boston. 
 Its area is twice as large as th?t of Boston Common. 
 The first tenant of Mount Auburn ^^as Hannah Ad- 
 ams, who died Dec. 15, 1831, aged seventj-six. 
 
 At the right, and beyond Cambric''ge. can be seen 
 the Observatory easily distinguished by its oval dome. 
 
 At the right of Cambridge, and nearly in front of 
 the window is the city of Somerville, formerly part 
 cf Charlestown, and directly beyond, is the town of 
 Arlington, formerly "West Cambridge, and at the ex- 
 treme" right is Medford. At the right is Mystic Eivtr 
 Avhich forms a junction with Charles Eiver, between 
 Bostcn, East Boston, and the Navy Yard. Kear ihe 
 corner of the monument grounds, at the right, is the 
 Charlestown High School Hoi ^e. dedicated JuneJ7, 
 1848. The hill beyond is BunberHill ; this on which 
 this moTimicnt strnds leing Bieed's Hill._ Orders 
 vere given to fortify Bunker Hill, but by mistake. — 
 •whether intentional or otherwise, remains unknown, 
 this hill was fortified, and the battle fought thereon. 
 
 From this ^vindow can be seen Wachusett Moun- 
 tain, in Massachusetts, and Monadnoc, Kearsarge, 
 and ^Vhite Mountains in New Hampshire. Moiiad- 
 tiock Mountain lies nearly in iront of the window, 
 and a little to theleft of theroad,over thcHill. To the 
 left of this, And nearly over ( ambridge, may be seen 
 'V\\tchusett IVIountain. At the right of Monadnoc, 
 and to appearance near each other, are Kearsarge, 
 and White Mountains. None of these mountains can 
 be seen, except in clear a\ rather; ard lie T\ hite 
 Mountains only when the atmosphere is reniarkably 
 pure, whirh happens but a few times in the course of 
 the year. This is the highest elevation of land in New- 
 England. The bridge ^ccn near the State Prison, 
 and running nearly in the direction of the Insane Uos- 
 
11 
 
 pital is that of the Fitchburs: Railroad. That run- 
 ning to the right of the same, is the continuation 
 of the Boston and Maine Railroad. That scei\ to the 
 extreme right, is Maiden Bridge. The scerscry from 
 this ■window is scarcely less beautiful tha?) that from 
 the last, althouorh most ofit is ofquite a different cha- 
 racter. We will now turn to the window, marked 
 
 NORTH, which is about Northeast. 
 
 The principal views from this window, are Ever- 
 ett, Chelsea, Revere, and Lynn. Maiden is the town 
 on the left, and at the extreme right, is Chelsta 
 Bridge, leading from Charlestown to Chelsea. 
 
 The large brick building at the left of tlie bridge is 
 the United States' Marine Hospital, that wi'h the 
 dwelling house and the grounds around, including 
 nearly the whole hill, belong to the United States' 
 Government. Nearly over Chelsea, can bo seen Ljnn, 
 celebrated for its large manufacture of shoes. 
 
 The extreme end of thelow point of land, running 
 to the right is Nahant. 
 
 We here close our views, but if the spectator wish- 
 es to have them before him at any time, just let him 
 purchase the Stereoscopic Viciisfrom the 4 zmidotcs, 
 — for sale below — and his desire "is at once fully grat- 
 ified. 
 
 THE BATTLE. 
 
 That ever memorable event, which this structure 
 was erected to commemorate, was fought on the 17tli 
 of Juno, 1775 : most bloody in its details, most im- 
 portant in its consequences, fought on our awn soil, 
 it has consecrated these heights to everlasting fame. 
 
 The redoubts and entrenchments, which sheltered 
 the heroes of that bloody day, are nearly level with the 
 
12 
 
 earth ; yet, in some places, portions of them are still 
 visible. The forces employed by the British, num- 
 bered about four thousand regulars, besides a battery 
 on Copp's inil, in Boston, and seven vessels of war 
 lying in different directions from the hill. Their loss 
 in killed and Avouuded was about one thousand one 
 hundred. 
 
 The number of American forces was about one 
 thousand eight hundred, and their loss, in killed, 
 wounded, nnd taken prisoners, was about four hun- 
 dred and fifty.* 
 
 THE MONUMENT. ' 
 
 Bunker Hii-ii Monument stands in the centre 
 of the ground that Avas enclosed by the w.ills of the 
 old redoubt — its sides precisely parallel with those 
 old walls. In 1824, an association ca-ledthe 'Bunker 
 Hill Monument Association," was formed for the 
 purpose of crcciing a monument on this memorable 
 spot. The corner stone was laid by Gen. LaFayette 
 on the 17th of June, 1825 — it being the fiftieth anni- 
 versary of the battle. There was a vast assembly pres- 
 ent on the occasion, including many patriotic soldiers 
 of the Kevolution. An eloquent address was deliver- 
 ed by Hon. Daniel Webster, 
 
 The b\iilding of the monument was not actually 
 commenced till 1827, when, after relaying the corner 
 stone., it was carried up" a short distance, and then 
 discontinue 1 for want of funds. It was finally com- 
 pleted in the summer of 1842 — the last stone being 
 placed on the top, at (3 o'clock in the morning, on the 
 23rd day of July, 1842. 
 
 It is built of Quincy granite. The foundation is 
 composed of six courses of stone, and extends twelve 
 
 * A (o-.icisc History of ilie battle for sale at the Office. 
 
la 
 
 feet below the surface of the ground and base of the 
 shaft. The four sides of the foundation extend about 
 fifty feet horizontally, There are ninety courses of 
 stone in the whole pile, six of them below the surface 
 of the ground and eighty four abo ve. The bottom, 
 or base, of the monument is thirty feet square, at the 
 top, or where the form of the apex begins it is about 
 fifteen feet square. The distance from the bottom to 
 the top is two hundred and twenty-one feet. The 
 stones themselves, measuring two hundred and nine- 
 teen feet, and ten inches, and the mortar, in the seams 
 between the stones, making up the balance of two 
 hundred and twenty one feet. Inside the shaft is z. 
 /ound hollow cone, the outside diameter of which, at 
 the bottom, is ten feet, and on the inside at the bot- 
 tom seven feet. At the top of the cone its outside di- 
 ameter is six feet three inches ; inside, four feet two 
 inches The observatory, or chamber, at the top of 
 the monument is seventeen feet in height, and elev- 
 en feet in diameter. It has four windows — one on 
 each s:de. Each window two feet eight inches high, 
 and two feet two inches broad, provided with iron 
 shutters. The walls at the door-way or entrance of 
 the monumeni, are six feet thick. The ascent to the 
 top is made by a flight of two hundred and ninety-five 
 steps. There are numerous little apertures in the 
 cone and shaft for the purpose of ventilation and light. 
 The cap-piece, or apex, cf the monument is a single 
 stone, three fret six inches in thickness, and four 
 ftet square etits base — weighing two and a half tons. 
 The height of each of the five courses of stone com- 
 posintr the point of the monument, is twenty inches 
 — all the other courses, seventy-eight in number, are 
 two feet eight inches in height. 
 
 ^ The monument was designed by Mr. Solomon 
 Willard, of Boston, architect, and built by Mr. James 
 S. Savage, of Boston. 
 
14 
 
 Til 1794, King Solomon's Lodge of Freemasons e^ 
 reeled a monument to the memory of Warren and 
 ills associates, who fell in the battle on Bunker Hill. 
 This monument stood outside of the redoubt, on 
 the spot where Gen. Warren is supposed to have fal- 
 len. It was a handsome structure, composed of a 
 very graceful Tuscan Pillar, about twenty feet high, 
 standin;^ on a pedestal ten or twelve feet high, and 
 surmounted by a golden urn, beaming the inscription, 
 "J. W. aged 35," entwined with masonic emblems. 
 
 The south side of the pedestal bore the following 
 inscription : — 
 
 Erected A. D. 1794, 
 
 B Y 
 
 King Solomon's Lodge 
 
 O F 
 
 Freemasons, 
 
 (Constituted in Chaklestown, 1783,) 
 
 in memory of 
 
 MAJOI^ GiENERAL JOSEPH WAKREN, 
 
 and his associates, 
 
 who were slain on this memorable spot, 
 
 June 17, 1775. 
 
 None but those who set a just vahie upon the blessings of 
 
 Liberty aie worthy to enjoy her. 
 
 In vain we toiled ; in vain we foug-ht ; — we 
 
 bled in vain, if you, our offspring, want 
 
 valor to repel the assauUs 
 
 of her invaders. 
 
 When the present monument was completed, the 
 Masonic Lodge placed a beautiful model of the old 
 monument inside the new one. The model stands 
 uir"<?.tU In front of the entrance. 
 
15 
 
 THE TOP STONE. 
 
 The following is an account of the manner in which 
 the top-stone was raised to its place — 
 
 "For the purpose of raising the stone to its place, 
 a pair of shears was rigged directly over the monu- 
 ment, one leg on each sidp, resting upon timbers pro- 
 jecting from four windows. The shears were sloped 
 towards the city. The difficulty of attaching the 
 ^•opes to the block (as no holes could be drilled into 
 it) was obviated by leaving projections on two sides, 
 lih,e ears, to which the ropes were attached. 
 
 It was then raised and deposited in its place, with- 
 out any trouble or the slightest accident. 
 The weight of the block is?hout tAvo tons and a half, 
 
 ADMITTANCE FEE. 
 
 ** Admittance to the Monument ^ 20 cents." 
 
 All the money received for admittance is expended 
 upon the ground, for keeping in order, beautifying &c. 
 
 HEIGHT. 
 
 The distance from the bottom to the top is twe 
 hundred and twenty one feet, and is ascended by two 
 hundred and ninety five steps. 
 
16 
 
 T} i lollowing is the inscription upon the two guns 
 ijf^.xe top, — the "Hancock" and "Adams." 
 
 SACEED TO LIBERTY. 
 
 Tins IS ONE OF THE FOUR CANNONS ■WHICH CONSTITUTED 
 TUB WHOLE TRAIN OF FIELD AKTILLERY, 
 
 possessed by the british coionies of 
 North America, 
 
 AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE 
 
 W 4 E, 
 ON THE 19th OF APRIL, 1775, 
 
 This Cannon, 
 
 and its fellow, 
 
 belonging to a number of citizens op 
 
 BOSTON, 
 
 M'ERE USED IN MANY ENGAGEMENTS 
 
 DURING THE "SVaR. 
 
 The other two, the proferty ofthb 
 
 govkhnment of massachusetts, 
 
 '•'\.kk taken by the enemy. 
 
 By order of the United States, 
 
 IN Congress assembled 
 
 May 19th, 1788. 
 
 These two guns were used many years in the "An- 
 cient and Honorable Artillery," and by them the 
 Adams vas burst in firing a salute. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 002 737 873