Bunker Hill Monument

The Bunker Hill Monument stands tall at 221 feet. It stands on the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution, fought on Breed's Hill, June 17, 1775. Important to the British occupation of Boston was control of the high ground near the harbor. When colonial forces chose to fortify Charlestown, they bypassed the more dominant "Bunker Hill" and dug in on Breed's Hill which was lower and closer to the water. "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" is the legendary order attributed to Colonel William Prescott to make sure that each shot would count. The poorly trained and ill prepared colonial forces repelled two major assaults by the British Army before retreating. Almost half of the British soldiers were either killed or injured. Although the colonists lost the battle, their bravery and strong showing against the British encouraged them to fight on.

Location: Charlestown.

Hours of Operation: Monument open daily 9:00am to 4:30pm. Visitors may climb 294 steps for a view of Boston (no elevator).
Free.

Content provided by The Freedom Trail Foundation