Colonel William Prescott's statue welcomes yous after you climb Breeds Hill where The Bunker Hill Memorial is located. The Battle of Bunker Hill was the first major battle of The American Revolution. The bulk of the battle took place on Breeds Hill, rather than Bunker Hill and thus is known by the wrong name. The Colonists were far out numbered, but suffered fewer causalities in the battle. Though the battle was ultimately won by The British, The American Colonists inflicted large numbers of causalities in their forces (in fact almost 50%), repealing them successfully in the first 2 rounds of battle.
"Don't Fire Until You See The Whites of Their Eyes!", a famous quote that perhaps tells why The Colonist did so well under the direction of Colonel William Prescott.
The impressive granite obelisk stands 221 feet. Hubby and I climbed the 294 steps to the top of memorial in the oppressive summer heat to see the view. Our traveling compions whimped out and sat waiting impatiently for us. The view is through the window and so even when you reached the top, there is no air. I did find the closeness a bit difficult.
If you look carefully you can see The US Constitution behind the red brick building their in the harbor.
The monument is open to the public daily from 9-5 except holidays and is FREE. They do stop the line (if there is one) at 4:30 to allow people time to climb and down those 294 steps. It's a tight winding stairway and not suitable for small children, or adults with breathing or walking difficulties; as there is no where to rest.
I'm hopeful to return to this area in Boston to explore more; but not with the same inpatient traveling companions.
