Fort Hill
Today Fort Hill in Roxbury is called Highland Park, and is best known for a historic 19th century gothic water tower and landscaping by Frederick Law Olmstead. During the early days of the American Revolution during the Siege of Boston, its importance had less to do with the aesthetics of the site, and more to do with the tactical value of a hill looking out over Roxbury Neck, the only land route out of Boston in the late 18th century.
It is hard to imagine now, looking out over the bustling city that exists there now, but Roxbury in the 1770s was more rural farmland and pastures. There were some buildings there, including a few homes, and the First Church of Roxbury. In fact, Dawes, one of Paul Revere’s fellow riders, took off from the First Church of Roxbury, which was not far from the hill. According to the Church’s history “The fourth meeting house on the site bore witness to the Revolutionary War and, sitting as it did on the strategically important “Meetinghouse Hill,” became the center of a great deal of activity. The area around the church was used as a parade ground and the belfry served as a signal station, making the church a target for British bombs. The British evacuated Boston in 1776, but bombing had destroyed property and soldiers had cut down much of Roxbury’s trees, including many of the orchards the town was known for.”
After the Battle at Lexington and Concord, The Dillaway-Thomas House, originally the Church Parsonage, became the headquarters for Major General John Thomas of the Continental Army. Fort hill is a bit of a misnomer. Though it is referred to as Fort Hill, there was never a formal structure or fort built there. Instead, the soldiers built earthwork fortifications, piling dirt and stone to create protective cover. This was the high fort, and they also built a lower fort, closer to the roads leading to Dedham and Brookline.
These forts allowed them to monitor the only land route out of Boston, and had crucial strategic advantage. Here on the high fort, Henry Knox helped set up the artillery placements, and it was his work here that impressed George Washington and led to him getting the fateful mission to reclaim the cannons from Fort Ticonderoga.
Did you Know ... Roxbury was once known for its abundant orchards, but the British army cut down most of the trees. One heirloom variety still exists, the Roxbury Russet apple.
In 1868, Boston annexed Roxbury, and the Cochichuate Water company assembled the current tower as a standpipe for water the next year. When the region no longer needed the standpipe, it became a sightseeing destination for the stunning views of the region.
In 1868, Boston annexed Roxbury, and the Cochichuate Water company assembled the current tower as a standpipe for water the next year. When the region no longer needed the standpipe, it became a sightseeing destination for the stunning views of the region.