South Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
On these Heights
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
1. On these Heights Marker
On these heights, during the night of March 4, 1776, the American troops besieging Boston built two redoubts which made the harbor and town untenable by the British fleet and garrison. On March 17, the British fleet, carrying 11,000 effective men and 1,000 refugees dropped down to Nantasket Roads and thenceforth Boston was free. A strong British force had been expelled from one of the united American Colonies.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is March 4, 1915.
Location. 42° 19.972′ N, 71° 2.745′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in South Boston. It can be reached from Thomas Park, on the left when traveling south. 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: South Boston MA 02127, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Historic Boston. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dorchester 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
this page online
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Dorchester Heights. Boston National Historical Park website. (Submitted on May 1, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. History of Evacuation Day - South Boston Today.
". . . on February 26, [General] Washington wrote, 'I am preparing to take a position on Dorchester Heights to see if the enemy will come out to meet me.' "(Submitted on March 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
2. Marker on Dorchester Heights
This white marble Georgian revival tower located at the summit of Dorchester Heights commemorates the Continental Army's 1776 victory.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
3. Dorchester Heights Marker
The marker is on the front of the tower on Dorchester Heights.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
4. View of Boston and the Harbor
On March 4, 1776, there was an unobstructed view of the City of Boston and the harbor from this high ground.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
5. Dorchester Heights National Historic Site
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett
6. Dorchester Heights
Image from a history of Evacuation Day published in 2018 (three installments published together included in "Also see" links).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,336 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on March 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 1, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on March 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
