Concord in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Landscape Changes

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

1. Landscape Changes Marker

Inscription. At the time of the Battle, this area was a cleared pasture owned by Samuel Brooks, whose house is on Battle Road before you. In contrast to today’s forested landscape, the 1775 landscape was predominantly open farmland.

A common myth about the fighting on April 19th is that the Colonists hid in the woods and fired at the British column. In fact, there were only occasional woodlots; cover was more often provided by stone walls, houses and outbuildings.

Whenever you see a stone wall through or along woods, it means that historically the area was cleared. Farmers removed the stones to utilize the fields, and they often piled them into walls rather than cart them away.

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 1775.

Location. 42° 27.211′ N, 71° 18.502′ W. Marker is in Concord, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of N Great Road (Massachusetts Route 2A) and Concord Tnpk, on the right when traveling west. Marker in near the Brooks Village parking lot in Minute Man National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Concord MA 01742, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Brooks Historical Area (a few steps from this marker); Trades along the Battle Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Meriam’s Corner (approx. 0.8 miles away); Bloody Angle (approx. 0.8 miles away); Hartwell Tavern Historical Area (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Meriam’s Corner (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Meriam’s Corner (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bedford Minutemen (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Concord.

More about this marker. The bottom of the marker features a picture of Colonial soldiers firing from behind a stone wall.

Also see . . .
1. Minute Man National Historical Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on May 2, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Battle of Concord. (Submitted on May 2, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
3. The Battle of Concord. The American Revolutionary War website. (Submitted on May 7, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker in Minute Man Nat’l Hist Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

2. Marker in Minute Man Nat’l Hist Park

During the fighting on the Battle Road on April 19, 1775, Colonial soldiers fired at the British troops from behind stone walls, such as the one seen on the left in this photo.

Samuel Brooks House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

3. Samuel Brooks House

The marker is located in Minute Man National Historical Park, behind the Samuel Brooks House.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,156 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.