Historical Marker Mania: Volume 1

On Bostonist's daily commute history is often hard to dodge, from inadvertently following along the red brick line of the Freedom Trail to a simple feat like riding on “Americas First Subway.” Other bits of history show up in the most unusual places. The “hub” marker lies underneath crates of oranges at the fruit stand outside of Filenes in Downtown Crossing. Oliver Wendell Holmes first referred to the old State House (so really the State Street station, and not Downtown Crossing) as the “Hub of the Solar System,” which developed into Boston's well-known nickname.

Now we make the connection: Holmes, father to "The Great Dissenter” , not only intriduced "the Hub" to Boston vernacular but penned Under the Washington Elm. The Washington Elm stood in Cambridge at what is now the intersection of Garden and Mason Streets. Under the Washington Elm on July 3, 1775, George Washington first took control of the American Army. The tree itself is no longer standing, nor are many of its offspring, which were planted across the country. When patriots and protesters alike descended on Cambridge Common to celebrate the 230th birthday of the Army this summer, Bostonist didn’t notice the tribute to the actual spot from which Washington declared his command.

What remains today is a bronze marker paved into the street at the site of the Washington Elm. Bostonist will use it to introduce the first installment in what we’re calling 'Hidden Historical Marker Mania.' We’ve pictured the marker in a wide shot, circled, and in a close-up of the text. Bostonist will continue to experiment with this little Historical Marker Mania, so send us your favorite historical marker, hidden or otherwise, and where it's located.