Day 9: October 7, 2015--Boston, MA GALLERY

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Most of what we saw today (which was actually quite a lot) was Boston's Freedom Trail and our guide, Jeremiah Poope (or so he said). But we'll show you a few shots from before and after the official part of the Tour, as well.

Before the Tour

Swankiest 7-11 I've ever seen, kitty corner from our
hotel. The Star of David window (above the tree) makes
me wonder if this 1922 building was once a synagogue?

This "castle" was once the Armory of the First Corps of Cadets,
constructed from 1891 to 1897--due to "political unrest during
the period," according to Wikipedia. Elsewhere I read that it
actually once had a dry moat, "arrow" loops for sharpshooters,
and food provisions in case of a siege--presumably by Irish
and/or Italian immigrants! It now houses a steak restaurant.

The Great Emancipator. Boston was well-known for its support of Abolition.

The Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, named
for donor George Francis Parkman, Jr. (Photo by Lila)

Lila once again demonstrates her "love" of birds (this look is genuine!)

The Visitor Information Center on Boston Common. (Photo by Lila)

Bronze sculptures of Learning, Religion, and Industry by Adio diBiccari and
Arcangelo Cascieri, commissioned for Boston Common by George Francis Parkman, Jr.

On the Tour

Ladies and Gentlemen: Mr. Jeremiah Poope! (Learn
more about him in today's Post.) (Photo by Lila)

Our first (and as I recall, longest) stop on the Tour was at the Granary Burying
Ground, "eternal home" to such founding luminaries as John Hancock, Paul Revere,
and Samuel Adams, as well as the parents of Benjamin Franklin. (Photo by Lila)

Not the grave of Ben, but of his parents, Josiah and Abiah--the
Founding Father's father (and mother). Ben lies in Philadelphia.

John Hancock's grave marker, like his signature,
is oversized (and not a little phallic).

Paul Revere's stone is much more modest--But his father's, nearby
(and not shown) is more modest still. (Some have thought Revere
has two graves, as he shared a name with his father.) Note the
pennies? Revere was a copper engraver, so the tribute is fitting.

I include this mediocre photo for the purpose of repeating a mediocre joke. According
to the reliable Mr. Poope, this bar across from the graveyard is the only place in the
world where you can have a Samuel Adams Beer while looking across the street at...

Samuel Adams's grave! (Photo by Lila, Joke by Poope)

Moving on...

Boston's Old City Hall. For the first half of the 19th century, this site was
the second location of the Boston Latin School, America's oldest public school,
founded ca. 1635 (it's now in its fifth location). A statue of Ben Franklin can
barely be seen far to the right side of the picture; it was there from 1856 to
2016, when it fell. It is now being repaired. The statue stands just a couple
of blocks from where Franklin was born; the building that stands on the site
of his birthplace today has a Sir Speedy copy shop (printing; get it?)

Boston's Old State House was built in 1713, serving the colony and then the state until
the "New" State House was completed in 1798. It has served as a city hall, a commercial
building, and now as a museum. The Lion and Unicorn (symbols of British monarchy) on top
are replicas; the originals were burned in 1776. Queen Elizabeth spoke from the balcony
in 1976. The "Boston Massacre" of 1770, in which five colonists were killed by British
soldiers--heightening tensions--occurred in the intersection in front of the State House.

After the Tour

Quincy Market dates to 1824-26; Uniqlo to 1949. (Photo by Lila)

We "saw" The Invisible Man!

Paul Revere's House; he sold it and moved out in 1800.

Revere on his horse, with the "Old North Church"behind.

The Old North Church closer up, famed for the "One if by land,
two if by sea" line in Longfellow's poem about Paul Revere.

Bostonian humah.

Why "connah" but "store"? Oh, well. (Photo by Lila)

The windows in the doors of Sacred Heart Italian Church in the
North End resemble my logo, made into a tattoo by my friend Chris
Hill (see my Post about Albuquerque). (Main photo by Lila)

A great way to end the day (or nearly so), at Mike's Pastry (Photo by Lila)

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