Chinatown in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Liberty Tree Block
A Designated Boston Landmark
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 16, 2021
1. Liberty Tree Block Marker
Constructed in 1850 for Boston businessman David Sears, the Liberty Tree Block's transitional style weds Greek Revival architecture with Italianate style details. A ballroom with lavish drawing rooms was once located above street level shops.
Ship carvers Winsor & Brothers's third-floor bas-relief commemorates the nearby elm tree which served as a rallying point for Boston's Sons of Liberty to protest British colonial taxation. The Liberty Tree was cut down in 1775 by occupying British troops.
Erected by The Boston Landmarks Commission, City of Boston and The Bostonian Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 42° 21.131′ N, 71° 3.752′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Chinatown. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and Essex Street, on the right when traveling north on Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boston MA 02111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Boston Young Men's Christian Union (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Union (about 400 feet away); John Quincy Adams (about 500 feet away); Ping On Alley (about 700 feet away); Emerson Majestic Theatre (about 700 feet away); Colonial Theatre (about 800 feet away); Theater in Boston (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Chinatown Gateway (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.
Also see . . . Liberty Tree - Wikipedia. The Liberty Tree (16461775) was a famous elm tree that stood in Boston, Massachusetts, near Boston Common in the years before the American Revolution. (Submitted on July 18, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 16, 2021
2. Liberty Tree Block Marker
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, July 18, 2026
3. Liberty Tree Block (east facade)
View of east face of Liberty Tree Block at the corner of Washington and Essex from Liberty Tree Plaza. Liberty Tree Block marker is visible to the left of the lamp post across the street and is between the red awnings. It is mounted between the windows at pedestrian eye level.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, July 18, 2026
4. Liberty Tree Bas Relief
On the third floor of the brick building facing Washington Street there is a bas relief of the Liberty Tree that is best viewed from Liberty Tree Plaza at the corner of Washington and Boylston.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, July 18, 2026
5. Liberty Tree Block
View of Liberty Tree Block looking south down Washington Street from Chinatown T station entrance on Washington and Boylston. Essex Street is to the left.
Separately, Liberty Tree Plaza is labeled on the stone to the far right at the end of the crosswalk at street level. A modern security camera is also visible there atop a dark iron post for a bird-eye view of pedestrians and drivers promoting the safety & security.
Separately, Liberty Tree Plaza is labeled on the stone to the far right at the end of the crosswalk at street level. A modern security camera is also visible there atop a dark iron post for a bird-eye view of pedestrians and drivers promoting the safety & security.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 816 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 30, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 18, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.
