South Boston in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Dorchester Heights

National Historic Site

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009

1. Dorchester Heights Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

These heights, commanding the harbor and town of Boston on the south, were seized and fortified by troops of the Continental Army and local militia under General John Thomas on the night of March 4, 1776. By this arduous night’s labor, and further strengthening of defenses, the position of the British troops under siege in the town became untenable. There followed the evacuation of Boston by the British under General Howe on March 17, 1776. This was the first great strategic success of the Americans in their War for Independence.

Erected 1952. National Park Service

United States Department of the Interior

Erected 1952 by Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is March 4, 1775.

Location. 42° 19.972′ N, 71° 2.745′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in South Boston. Marker can be reached from Thomas Park. Marker is located in Dorchester Heights National Historic Site in Thomas Park in South Boston. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boston MA 02127, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

Marker at Dorchester Heights Nat'l Historic Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009

2. Marker at Dorchester Heights Nat'l Historic Site

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other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. On these Heights (here, next to this marker); American Redoubts (a few steps from this marker); Gen. Henry Knox Trail (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Dorchester Heights (within shouting distance of this marker); Dorchester Heights • Thomas Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Land (approx. 1.2 miles away); Defending the Colonies 1763 (approx. 1.4 miles away); Boston Massacre 1770 / The East India Company (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Also see . . . Dorchester Heights. Boston National Historical Park website. (Submitted on April 14, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Dorchester Heights Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009

3. Dorchester Heights Monument

The marker can be seen here on the side of the Dorchester Heights Monument. This white marble Georgian revival tower stands at the summit of Dorchester Heights and commemorates Gen. George Washington's first victory as commander of the Continental Army.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,620 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.