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

1775

"One if by Land, Two if by Sea"

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 18, 2023

1. 1775 Marker

Inscription.
The first steeple was the one that Paul Revere knew as a boy (and bellringer) and later incorporated into his lantern signal plan. Because of the spire's height, any light shining from the topmost windows would be visible to Revere's fellow riders watching from the far side of the Charles River. The plan worked perfectly. On April 18, 1775, two lanterns shone from the steeple and lit the way to revolution.
The lantern story offers some thought-provoking contradictions. Old North was an Anglican church-the King's church-and yet it was used to subvert the King's power and rule. Secondly, the signal transformed Old North's steeple into a symbol of freedom: yet, it was funded in part by the proceeds of enslaved labor, such as the logwood donated by the Gentlemen of the Bay of Honduras. The steeple, like the nation itself, has a complex history to tell us.

Salme Kilaouy Photography (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is April 18, 1775.

Location. 42° 21.978′ N, 71° 3.271′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in North End. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Salem Court and Salem Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 193 Salem Street, Boston MA 02113, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1954 Hurricane Carol (here, next to this marker); The Great Gale of Boston (here, next to this marker); The Weathervane (here, next to this marker); The First Steeple (here, next to this marker); The Old North Church & Historic Site (here, next to this marker); A North Ender's Memory (here, next to this marker); The Third Steeple (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Third Steeple (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 18, 2023

2. 1775 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.