South Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Dorchester Heights
National Historic Site
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
1. Dorchester Heights Marker
These heights, commanding the harbor and town of Boston on the south, were seized and fortified by troops of the Continental Army and local militia under General John Thomas on the night of March 4, 1776. By this arduous nights labor, and further strengthening of defenses, the position of the British troops under siege in the town became untenable. There followed the evacuation of Boston by the British under General Howe on March 17, 1776. This was the first great strategic success of the Americans in their War for Independence.
Erected 1952 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is March 4, 1776.
Location. 42° 19.972′ N, 71° 2.745′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in South Boston. It is at the intersection of Thomas Park and Telegraph Street, in the median on Thomas Park. The marker stands on the grounds of Thomas Park in South Boston. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 95R G St, 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: On these Heights (here, next to this marker); American Redoubts (a few steps from this marker); Gen. Henry Knox Trail
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These related markers are all related to high strategic artillery locations used on Evacuation Day March 17, 1776 to drive the British from Boston harbor and back-bay.
Also see . . .
1. Dorchester Heights. Boston National Historical Park website. (Submitted on April 14, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. A History of Evacuation Day - South Boston Today.
"The first point is what we know today as the Dorchester Heights. Then it was actually two high points called the 'Twin Hills'."(Submitted on March 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
2. Marker at Dorchester Heights Nat'l Historic Site
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009
3. Dorchester Heights Monument
The marker can be seen here on the side of the Dorchester Heights Monument. This white marble Georgian revival tower stands at the summit of Dorchester Heights and commemorates Gen. George Washington's first victory as commander of the Continental Army.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,058 times since then and 82 times this year. Last updated on March 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
