Lincoln in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Paul Revere Capture Site
Minute Man National Historical Park
The park preserves sites where Colonial militia men and British soldiers clashed on April 19, 1775. A force of 700 British soldiers left Boston to seize military supplies stockpiled in Concord. Alarm riders alerted the countryside. In area towns, militia companies assembled, ready to defend their communities and their liberties if necessary.
After brief battles at Lexington Green (5:00 a.m.) and Concord’s North Bridge (9:30 a.m.) fighting escalated along the “Battle Road.” As the British troops marched back towards Boston, militia companies poured in. By afternoon, nearly 4,000 Colonists unleashed “an incessant fire” upon the British soldiers. At the end of the day, the Colonists surrounded and laid siege to Boston. The Revolutionary War had begun.
The Battle Road Trail - - - - - - - - - -
This five mile trail from Meriam’s Corner to Fiske Hill provides pedestrian, bicycle and wheelchair access to many cultural and natural sites within the park. The trail visits battle sites, agricultural fields, colonial homes and taverns, forests, fragile wetlands, and historic landmarks. Portions of the trail are on the Battle Road where the British column marched; other sections follow stone walls and farm lanes traversed by the Colonists.
Many visitors begin their tour by viewing the exhibits and orientation program at the Minute Man Visitor Center.
Erected by Minute Man National Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1826.
Location. 42° 26.946′ N, 71° 16.743′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. Marker is at the intersection of N Great Road (Massachusetts Route 2A) and Mill Street, on the right when traveling west on N Great Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lincoln MA 01773, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. End of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride (within shouting distance of this marker); The Capture of Paul Revere (within shouting distance of this marker); The Midnight Riders (within shouting distance of this marker); Weapon of the Day (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thorning Boulder (approx. ¼ mile away); Josiah Nelson House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Thomas Nelson Jr. House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Minute Man Visitor Center (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.
More about this marker. The top of the marker features a map of Minute Man National Historical Park. The bottom left of the marker contains a map of the Battle Road on April 19, 1775, with the progress of the British retreat indicated: Meriam’s Corner, Concord - 12:30 p.m.; Lincoln – 1:00 p.m; Lexington – 2:30 p.m.; Menotomy – 4:30 p.m.; Cambridge – 5:30 p.m.; Charlestown – 7:00 p.m.
Two photographs from a reenactment of the fighting on the Battle Road appear at the bottom right of the marker. Also present are a picture of the Minute Man statue from North Bridge and a reprint of an image of Salem Gazette broadside telling of the “Bloody Butchery by the British Troops or the Runaway Fight of the Regulars.”
Also see . . . Minute Man National Historical Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on May 7, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,453 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on February 28, 2011, by John Intile of Toms River, New Jersey. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.