"Boston" Boston by smschley

Boston Travel Guide: 3,742 reviews and 7,868 photos

Boston - Boston

The first English immigrant to settle in Boston was the Reverend William Blackstone. He came by himself in 1629, to a peninsula by a stream, called by the local Algonquin inhabitants, Shawmet. A year later Blackstone invited John Winthrop and some Puritan settlers to visit Shawmut who had left England to escape religious persecution and to establish a pious Puritan state. Ironically, they wanted to leave the Massachusetts Bay Colony due to the harsh, intolerant society that the Puritans had created. In keeping with their view of tolerance they limited citizenship to church members until 1664.

The citizenship still considered themselves loyal British subjects, but this began to change in the 1730's when the Crown increased taxes on the colonists to help replenish the treasury. Boston became a leading center of colonial resistance as a great philosophical distance began to grow between the Colonies and Britain.

Boston - Boston

The final break came when the British Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts of 1767, led to the Boston Massacre in 1770. The Tea Act of 1773 resulted with The Boston Tea Party. The British responded by closing the ports and bringing in more troops to contain the dissidents. On the evening of April 18, 1775, the British dispatched troops to the towns of Lexington and Concord to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock, and to seize arms which the colonists were storing. Paul Revere and William Dawes rode through the night to warn the colonists of the approaching soldiers. The next morning, on Lexington Green, "the shot heard round the world" was fired, and the American Revolution began.

Today Boston is a city of history, of neighborhoods, of education, and has been called the biggest small town in America. It has a rich sports tradition, a large and varied selection of museums, theatres and Music centers, and a great place for Chowder and Lobster as I can attest.

  • Last visit to Boston: Dec 1999
  • Intro Updated Mar 3, 2005
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Reviews (17)

OLD NORTH CHURCH - Boston OLD NORTH CHURCH Things to Do (16)

Remember that line from your high school English class, "One if by land, and two if by sea” by some guy named... more travel advice

Bunker Hill - Boston Bunker Hill Things to Do (16)

In the middle of the picture you can see a 221-foot granite obelisk on the hill. This is the monument to honor the... more travel advice

Cheers - Boston Cheers Things to Do (16)

As a “Cheers” fan I just had to go to the Bull & Finch Pub in Boston. This was the pub that was the original inspiration... more travel advice

Park Street Church - Boston Park Street Church Things to Do (16)

Park Street Church is built on the site of the old town granary where grain was kept before the Revolution. It was way... more travel advice

Comments (7)

  • Reply
    Nov 26, 2006 at 12:12 AM

    This photo of the swan boat and lagoon is so beautiful. When was it taken? Is it possible to get a copy?

  • Reply
    garridogal's Profile Photo
    Feb 22, 2006 at 9:07 AM

    Very rich in information and history AND I love the dramatic shot of the Museum of Science!

  • Reply
    sarahandgareth's Profile Photo
    Sep 26, 2005 at 7:33 AM

    Great Fenway tip! I firmly believe that you can't have a complete visit to Boston without a stop to see the Green Monster. I've heard the tours are great.

  • Reply
    KittyLou's Profile Photo
    Mar 3, 2005 at 8:28 AM

    Nice work. Lots of information and good photos.

  • Reply
    Polly74's Profile Photo
    Mar 2, 2005 at 6:53 AM

    Very interesting and complete tips. I like your pictures! :-) Paola

  • Reply
    jessicadf's Profile Photo
    Mar 1, 2005 at 7:42 PM

    An excellent start!

  • Reply
    amapola66's Profile Photo
    Feb 27, 2005 at 2:09 AM

    Lovely Boston common photot, Looking forward to reading more tips when you add them.

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