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

Colonel Richard Gridley

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 9, 2025

1. Colonel Richard Gridley Marker

Inscription. The Defensive Works on Breed's Hill were laid out by and constructed under Colonel Richard Gridley, Chief Engineer New England Provincial Army, who in July 1775 was appointed by General Washington as First Chief Engineer of the Continental Army. Presented by Boston Post Society of American Military Engineers 17 June 1959

Erected 1959.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1775.

Location. 42° 22.59′ N, 71° 3.644′ W. Memorial is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Charlestown. It can be reached from the intersection of Monument Square and Laurel Street. The plaque to General Gridley is placed inside the Lodge behind the Bunker Hill Monument obelisk. It is mounted to the right of the entryway, which is passed through when entering to climb the monument or if entering to view the statue of Dr. Joseph Warren. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 33 Monument Square, Charlestown MA 02129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial 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: Breed’s Hill (here, next to this marker); This Column Stands on Union! (a few steps from this marker); North-East Corner of the Redoubt

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(a few steps from this marker); The Decisive Day has come on which the fate of America depends... (a few steps from this marker); You are now my enemy and I am yours... (a few steps from this marker); Bunker Hill Monument (a few steps from this marker); The Breastwork (within shouting distance of this marker); South-East Corner of the Redoubt (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Regarding Colonel Richard Gridley. General Richard Gridley is considered the founding father of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
https://www.usace.army.mil/About/History/Commanders/

General Gridley was responsible for all of the military fortification at Bunker Hill and the fortifications at Dorchester Heights and Fort Hill Park/Highland Park in Roxbury related to fortifying those locations to place cannon for evacuation day.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Additional keywords. Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2025, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 45 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 18, 2025, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.