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

Massachusetts Gate

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

1. Massachusetts Gate Marker

Inscription. Colonel William Prescott of Massachusetts led the colonial forces on Breed’s Hill. His commanding figure and strong will inspired the farmer soldiers to the greatness of the day. Dr. Joseph Warren, commissioned a Major General, elected to serve Prescott as a private in the battle. Dr. Warren, an early leader in the Revolution, was killed on this battlefield in the waning moments of the conflict.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 42° 22.546′ N, 71° 3.664′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Charlestown. It is at the intersection of Monument Sq and Monument Ave on Monument Sq. Marker is located at the southern entrance to the Bunker Hill unit of Boston National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charlestown MA 02129, 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 walking distance of this marker: The Freedom Trail (here, next to this marker); South-East Corner of the Redoubt (within shouting distance of this marker); The Decisive Day has come on which the fate of America depends... (within shouting distance of this marker); You are now my enemy and I am yours... (within shouting distance

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker); Bunker Hill Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Connecticut Gate (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Breed’s Hill (about 300 feet away); Colonel Richard Gridley (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Tour the markers in the vicinity of Bunker Hill.

Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Bunker Hill 1775. A British perspective of the battle from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on May 5, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Bunker Hill Monument. National Park Service website. (Submitted on May 7, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker at the Bunker Hill Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

2. Marker at the Bunker Hill Memorial

Marker and Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

3. Marker and Museum

Massachusetts Gate Marker, seen here on the right of the photo, is located across the street from the Battle of Bunker Hill Museum.

Colonel William Prescott image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

4. Colonel William Prescott

A statue of Massachusetts's Col. William Prescott, leader of the American troops during the June 17, 1775 battle, stands near the Massachusetts Gate marker.

Bunker Hill Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

5. Bunker Hill Monument

This 221 foot obelisk, dedicated in 1843, commemorates the June 17, 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill. This photo was taken from near the marker.

Colonel William Prescott June 17, 1775 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marc Posner, September 25, 2020

6. Colonel William Prescott June 17, 1775

Photographed by R.J. O’Hara, June 17, 2025

7. Massachusetts Gate Marker

The northwesterly marker flanking the Massachusetts Gate, photographed on the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, 17 June 1775.

Photographed by R.J. O’Hara, June 17, 2025

8. Massachusetts Gate Marker

The southeasterly marker flanking the Massachusetts Gate, photographed on the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, 17 June 1775. The inscription, in Latin and in English translation, is the Massachusetts state motto: "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem." It originates from the seventeenth-century English parliamentarian and political philosopher Algernon Sidney (1623–1683).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,450 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 5, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on April 27, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. 7, 8. submitted on July 30, 2025, by R.J. O’Hara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts.