Boston, Part I: The Cradle of the Revolution

In this series, Travel Fieend visits Boston, one of the oldest cities in the United States, and also one of the most charming and historic. Located on the Atlantic coast, this city of over 600,000 people (metropolitan area: appx. 4.5 million) offers a unique experience to all who visit.

I, your author, have not only traveled to Boston, but as an undergraduate student, I lived there for four years. It is one of my favorite places in the entire nation and I would like to think I know my way around. (As an homage, the final part of this travelogue will focus on my alma mater, Boston College.)

A Very Brief History of Boston

Archaeologists believed that what is now the Boston area was first inhabited thousands of years ago by Native American peoples. In more modern times, however, the first European settlers to reach Boston arrived in the early part of the 17th century. The city of Boston itself was founded in 1630, but is not to be confused with the Plymouth colony famously founded by the Pilgrims in 1620. Plymouth is about 45 minutes to an hour’s drive south of Boston.

Boston was central to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which was eventually elevated to provincial status in the latter parts of the 17th century. Of course, its royal charter had been revoked before that, but the city and colony came through just fine.

During the Revolutionary War period of the late 18th century, Boston played a key role in American independence; signs of the city’s importance during the war are evident when touring. In 1773, for example, Boston was famously the location of the original Tea Party, and also notably was host to several major battles, including the Battle of Bunker Hill. Also, this is where Paul Revere made his famous ride; the northern Boston suburb of Revere is named for him.

Over the next few hundred years, the city experienced growth and change, as the industrial boom which had grown the city enormously began to fade (like in many other towns and cities across Massachusetts which depended upon factory industry). In recent decades, however, Boston has established itself as a world-class city with historical sites, art, culture, fine dining, and many prominent universities.

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