Dorchester Heights facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dorchester Heights National Historic Site
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View of Thomas Park and the Dorchester Heights Monument
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 5.4 acres (2.2 ha) |
| Built | 1776 |
| Architect | Peabody & Stearns |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Georgian Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000050 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Dorchester Heights is a special place in South Boston. It's the highest point in the area, offering amazing views. From here, you can see both Boston Harbor and the city center. This spot is famous for its important role in the American Revolutionary War.
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Dorchester Heights: A Key Battle Spot
Dorchester Heights is remembered for a big event during the American Revolutionary War. This event is called the Fortification of Dorchester Heights. After the first battles at Lexington and Concord, many American fighters gathered around Boston. They pushed the British soldiers back into the city.
The Siege of Boston and a Clever Plan
In June 1775, British soldiers fought hard at Bunker Hill. They won, but lost many soldiers. After this, George Washington became the leader of the American army. He was sent to take charge of the Siege of Boston. For months, nothing much happened.
Then, a smart officer named Henry Knox arrived. He had led a huge effort to bring heavy cannons from Fort Ticonderoga in New York. This was a difficult journey in winter, pulling cannons on sleds for hundreds of miles! These new cannons gave Washington a big advantage.
On the night of March 4, 1776, American soldiers made a secret move. While some soldiers watched the river, 1,200 others climbed Dorchester Heights. They worked all night to build strong defenses. They moved many cannons, pulled by oxen, to the top. The British didn't even notice! Dorchester Heights was perfect because it was high up. It gave the Americans a clear view of all of Boston and the harbor.
British Retreat and a New Holiday
When the British commander, General Howe, saw the American cannons, he knew he was in trouble. He planned to attack, but bad weather stopped him. Instead, the British navy decided to leave Boston. On March 17, 1776, the British army and many of their supporters sailed away.
This day, March 17, is now a holiday in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. It's called Evacuation Day. It celebrates the day the British left Boston.
Exploring Dorchester Heights Today
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Dorchester Heights Historic District
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| Location | Roughly a one block area surrounding Telegraph Hill, South Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Built | 1776 |
| Architectural style | Federal, Greek Revival, et al. |
| NRHP reference No. | 01001198 |
| Added to NRHP | November 01, 2001 |
The Historic Area
Today, a large part of Dorchester Heights is a special historic area. It's called the Dorchester Heights Historic District. This area includes Thomas Park and the monument. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. This helps protect the old buildings and history of the neighborhood. The monument area itself was listed even earlier, in 1966.
The Tall Monument
At the top of Dorchester Heights, you'll find Thomas Park. In the middle of this park stands the impressive Dorchester Heights Monument. It was finished in 1902. The monument was designed by architects Peabody and Stearns from Boston.
It stands 115 feet (35 meters) tall. It's made of white marble and has a special top that looks like a church steeple. During some repair work in the 1990s, workers found old evidence. They discovered parts of the original Revolutionary War defenses! People thought these had been destroyed when the park was built.
The monument is now looked after by the National Park Service. It's part of the Boston National Historical Park. This means it's a place where you can learn about American history.
See also
In Spanish: Dorchester Heights para niños
