Boston’s King’s Chapel Burying Ground

King’s Chapel Burying Ground is the oldest cemetery in the city of Boston. It was established in 1630 when Sir Isaac Johnson sold the land on which he formerly maintained his vegetable garden to create the city’s first burial ground. It is said that Mr. Johnson was the first individual buried here. For almost thirty years, it remained the only burial ground in Boston until 1659 when Copp’s Hill Burying Ground was established in the North End. It is not known exactly how many individuals were buried here between the years 1630 and 1896, however, it is known to be well over a thousand. It’s estimated that for every one of the 500-600 headstones still in existence that ten to twenty burials occurred.

King’s Chapel Burying Ground

King’s Chapel is reported to be one of the most haunted locales in all of Boston. Legends tell of an individual once buried alive here. By the time suspicions were raised and the body dug up, the person was already dead—whether before or after having been buried it is uncertain. Another ghastly tale speaks of a person whose head had to be chopped off in order to fit within their undersized coffin. And last but not least, Captain Kidd has even been rumored to be buried within this graveyard. This would appear highly unlikely, though, as he was hung in London after being convicted of piracy.

While taking a stroll throughout King’s Chapel Burying Ground, you may find:

1. The ornately carved gravestone of one Joseph Tapping.


2. The grave marker which supposedly was the inspiration for The Scarlet Letter.


3. A grave belongs to “the other” Midnight Rider.


4. The oldest extant grave within the cemetery.


5. The final resting place for the 1st woman to step off the Mayflower.


6. The grave for the 1st governor of Massachusetts.

During your explorations if you really wish to experience what death may smell like, we encourage you to stick your nose up close to the wrought iron structure situated in the southwest corner of the yard. This is a structure which seems to attract and puzzle many visitors in the graveyard. This is actually a ventilation shaft for the nearby Park Street Station, which was erected in 1896.

• Website: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/visitor/kings-burying.html
• Address: 58 Tremont Street, Boston, MA (Address is approximate)
• Cost: Free

Iwalked Boston’S Howard Athenaeum

I Walked Boston’S Howard Athenaeum - Within the brick plaza space atop the stairs of 1 Center Plaza is a plaque honoring Boston’s former favorite sailor haunts, “The Old Howard.” The Howard Athenaeum, or more commonly referred to as just the Old Howard, was known for its slogan of “Always something doing at the Old Howard.” In addition to its infamous burlesque shows, the Old Howard also showcased the top talent of the day including Abbott and Costello, The Marx Brothers and Rocky Marciano (who fought a series sparring matches here over a 1 week period in 1951).

During these popular shows one common staple which could be found was the bald-headed section in front. Thomas Edison reportedly commented as such in his diary when he was quoted as, “our seats were in the bald-headed section.”

Howard Athenaeum

The downfall of the Old Howard occurred in 1953 when the Boston Vice Squad captured a dancer by the name of Mary Good Neighbor stripping on 16mm film. The theatre was forced to close and the numerous efforts to re-open the theatre were finally exhausted when the building burnt down in 1961.


The plaque here to commemorate and remember the Old Howard was dedicated in 1968 by a group which included a songwriter by the name of Francis W. Hatch, who also wrote a song regarding the former burlesque called, “Some Coward Closed the Old Howard.”

• Website: http://www.bambinomusical.com/Scollay/Howard.html
• Address: 1 Center Plaza, Boston, MA (Address is approximate)
• Cost: Free

Iwalked Boston’S Public Garden Good Will Hunting Bench

I Walked Boston’S Public Garden Good Will Hunting Bench - Thousands of people come to Boston’s Public Garden every year attempting to relive or recreate the infamous “bench” scene from the 1997 movie starring Robin Williams and Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting. If YOU wish to sit upon a former movie proper what you need to do descends down the stairs from the lagoon bridge before crossing over it (on the south side of the lagoon). Walk along the path beside the water and look for the third backless bench on the left.

Public Garden Good Will Hunting Bench

In the movie scene Robin Williams character, Sean, provides Matt Damon (I. e. -Will) with some sound advice on love. This part you may already know. What you may NOT have noticed is that just prior to the 2 characters venturing to this particular point, Will invites Sean to take a “quick” walk from the classroom. Now, the classroom where Will instructs is portrayed at Bunker Hill Community College. While for some people a 45 minute walk from Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown in the Boston Public Garden may be a short leisurely stroll, I’m not certain that this is quite what the directors had in mind.

• Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBjWHfBHKos
• Address: Boston Public Garden, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Winter Hill Gang Headquarters, Boston

I Walked Boston’S Winter Hill Gang Headquarters - Situated in a parking garage along Lancaster Street in Boston resides what was once the headquarters of Irish organized crime syndicate, the Winter Hill Gang and their former leader James “Whitey” Bulger. The Winter Hill Gang is said to be the basis for the 2006 Martin Scorsese film, The Departed.

The Winter Hill Gang was most noted for having fixed horse races along the East Coast. That is until 1979 when an Atlantic City jockey provided police with evidence necessary to indict members of the Irish crime syndicate. This indictment included Howie Winter himself, and left a vacancy at the top. Not arrested for the crime due to his existing relationship as an informant within the FBI and paving the way for his claim at the top was “Whitey” Bulger.

Bulger obtained his early “career” experience at the age of 14 through larceny and robbing banks for which he spent a number of years in various jails, including the infamous Alcatraz. Known for his platinum blond hair in his younger years it led to him earning the nickname “Whitey.”

When Bulger took over the reigns of the Winter Hill Gang he moved their headquarters to the Lancaster Foreign Car Service parking garage at 131 Lancaster Street. Almost every day around 1:30pm Bulger arrived at this location in his 1979 Chevy Caprice and got down to business.

Winter Hill Gang Headquarters

Under Bulger’s leadership, the Winter Hill Gang re-focused their business model to stay out of activities like race fixing which could be directly traced back to them. Instead they instituted a pyramid scheme of sorts whereby they charged local criminals a “fee” to stay in business. Fail to pay once, it’s a broken bone. Fail twice, well you didn’t. Per the FBI, 18-19 murders have been directly linked to Bulger although for much of this time they turned the other way.

The reason for this was that, as mentioned earlier, Bulger had a “working” relationship with some members of the FBI where he acted as an informant, primarily versus his arch enemies the Italian Mafia. FBI supporters who often tipped off Whitey of any ongoing investigations claimed that information from Bulger helped lead to the eventual arrest of Jerry Angiulo, the head of the Italian Mafia at nearby 99 Prince Street in Boston’s North End. Others in the FBI were less optimistic as to the quality of information provided.

Bulger’s biggest supporter in the FBI was a childhood friend by the name of John Connolly. The tale of how these 2 individuals met is now one of lore. It seems that when Whitey was 19 years old he walked into an ice-cream shop and offered to buy ice cream for three 8-year-old boys in the shop. Only one boy refused stating that his parents had taught him not to accept gifts from strangers. Whitey supposedly looked the kid in the eye and told him, “Hey kid, I’m not stranger. Your mother and father are from Ireland. My mother and father are from Ireland. What kind of ice cream do you want?” The kid grinned and responded, “Vanilla.” That kid was, of course, John Connolly.

Connolly’s relationship with Bulger, long in question, finally came to a head in 1995 when an indictment for Bulger was released. However, when police went to go arrest Whitey he had disappeared with his long-time girlfriend Teresa Stanley. It was figured that Connolly was likely the one who tipped him off. In 1999 Connolly was arrested for obstruction of justice amongst other things and was sentenced to 8-10 years.

In regards to our man on the run, Bulger returned to Boston only one time just a month after eluding police. This stop was supposedly to drop off his girlfriend Teresa Stanley, who had determined that she wasn’t made for life on the run. Whitey, in exchange, dropped her off and picked up another long-term girlfriend Catherine Greig and this time did not return.

Since his disappearance in 1995, Bulger has reported been seen in New York, California, Wyoming, Louisiana, Mississippi and Europe. It’s said while on the run he had used such aliases as Tom Harris, Tom Marshall, Thomas F. Baxter, Mark Shapeton, Jimmy Bulger, James Joseph Bulger, James J. Bulger Jr., James Joseph Bulger, Jr., and “Whitey.” In reference to some of the latter aliases, one has to question how some of these aliases have gone undetected.

Whitey has been on the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted List since 1999 and is second only to Osama Bin Laden. His tale had been told on America’s Most Wanted 14 times from 1995 to present and the FBI is currently offering a $2 million award leading to his arrest.

Update: Whitey Bulger was arrested on June 22, 2011 in Santa Monica, CA after having been on the run for approximately 16 years.

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_J._Bulger
• Address: 31 Lancaster Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Top 10 Things To Do With Kids in Boston

Summer is almost upon us and that means… family vacations! As all of the Clark Griswald’s of the world gather up their regrets to share with their families the largest balls of mud across the U.S., we here at I Walked decided to try and help you find some more worthwhile destinations here in our hometown of Boston. Traveling with families can be expensive, and entertaining the little ones can be a bit of a hassle unless you have a good tour guide—like us! Thus, I Walked Audio Tours proudly presents our Top 10 Things To Do With Kids in Boston:

1. Children’s Museum

Well, duh! The second oldest Children’s Museum in the United States. Afterwards, grab some ice cream at the Hood Milk Bottle ice cream stand situated outside the front entrance.
Website: http://www.bostonkids.org/
Address: 308 Congress Street, Boston. (617) 426-6500
Hours: Sat-Thur 10am-5pm; Fri 10am-9pm
Cost: Adults, Children and Seniors $12; Children under 1 are free.

2. New England Aquarium

Kids will love the 200,000 gallon central tank you can walk around all the way to the top. If price is an issue at least check out the harbor seals outside of the aquarium within a glass case for some free entertainment.
Website: http://www.neaq.org/index.php
Address/Phone: 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA. (617) 973-5206
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. Summer hours (Jul 1- Sept 3) are typically extended 1 hour.
Cost: $22.95 Adult and $15.95 Children (Ages 3-11)

3. Public Gardens

Take a leisurely ride on the Swan Boats and let your kids sit on the Make Way For Ducklings statues. Better yet, bring a blanket and have a picnic and enjoy the picturesque scenery (or the parents can at least while the kids run around screaming).
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/emerald/public_garden.asp
Address/Phone: Bordered by Beacon Street (north), Charles Street (east), Boylston Street (south) and Arlington Street (west), Boston. (617) 635-4505
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Cost: Free!

4. Museum of Science

Kids can interact with numerous exhibits and stare in awe at the life-sized T-Rez or Tryceratops. The domed Omni theater is a trip for older kids (younger ones may get scared). Also take part in the Community Solar System (http://www.mos.org/sln/wtu/passport.pdf), a little known treasure hunt of planets throughout the city!
Website: www.mos.org
Address/Phone: 1 Science Park, Boston. (617) 723-2500
Hours: Sat-Thu 9am-5pm; Fri 9am-9pm. Hours are extended Sat-Thur during summer months (Jul 5-Labor Day) by 2 hours.
Cost: Exhibit Halls: Adults $22, Seniors $20, Children $19. Omni theatre and planetarium are extra.

5. Boston Duck Tours

A bit expensive, but kids does get to drive these giant land-water vehicles! Don’t worry parents… only when you’re in the water and there’s nothing they can hit.
Website: http://www.bostonducktours.com/
Address/Phone: Departures exist in 3 locations. (1) The Museum of Science at 1 Science Park, Boston, MA. (2) The Prudential Center in Boston’s Back Bay at 53 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA. (3) New England Aquarium at 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA. (617) 267-DUCK.
Hours: 9am-Sunset with departures every 30-60 minutes (from the Museum of Science and Prudential Center). 3pm-8:30pm from the New England Aquarium. (Note: This is a seasonal tour typically offered beginning in March and ending in November.)
Cost: $28.99-$32.99 Adults and $19-$22 Children (Ages 3-11)

6. Fenway Park

A family tradition. Need I say more? Tours are obviously more affordable, but if you can swing tickets to a game, it is a must to experience.
Website: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/tour.jsp
Address/Phone: 4 Yawkey Way, Boston. (617) 226-6666
Hours: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm. On game days the last tour is offered 3 hours prior to game time.
Cost: Tours: Adults $16; Seniors $14; Children (3-15) $12. Game ticket prices will vary.

7. Quincy Market / Faneuil Hall

Top touristy area with more than 18 million visitors annually (more than Disneyland). Lots of shops, restaurants and area to run. Watch street performers (each of whom is required to audition).
Website: http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/
Address/Phone: 1 Faneuil Square Boston. (617) 523-1300
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 11am-6pm. Individual restaurant hours may vary.
Cost: Free to people watch. Shopping and food are obviously at your own discretion.

8. Frog Pond at Boston Common

During the summer the pond is a free wading pool for kids. By winter, a beautiful skating rink. And if you really want to gross out the kids tell them about how this used to be the site a cow pond (evil laugh).
Website: http://www.bostonfrogpond.com/
Address/Phone: Intersection of Beacon Street and Walnut Street, Boston. (617) 635-2120
Hours: Check website for details.
Cost: Free summer wading pool. Skating admission in the winter is $5 for adults and free for children under 13. Skate rental is extra.

9. Franklin Park Zoo

Kids love animals! Of all of the local zoos this one is by far the best. Nearby Drumlin Farms are also fun, but you need a car.
Website: http://www.zoonewengland.org/Page.aspx?pid=219
Address/Phone: 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston. (617) 541-5466
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. The zoo closes at 4pm during winter months (Oct 1-Mar 31).
Cost: Adults $17; Seniors $14; Children (2-12) $11; Children under 2 are free

10. Christopher Columbus Park

Near the waterfront and the North End, this is probably one of the best maintained children’s play areas.
Website: http://www.bostonharborwalk.com/placestogo/location.php?nid=3&sid=18
Address/Phone: Intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Richmond Street, Boston. (617) 635-4505
Hours: Dawn to Dusk.
Cost: Free!

Boston Walking Tours : Samuel Appleton Building

Boston Walking Tours : Samuel Appleton Building  at 1 Liberty Square is a 1926 Classical Revival Building. It is thirteen stories in height and the most dominant feature is the rounded front façade, again, indicative of the Classical Revival style.

Samuel Appleton Building

Atop the front door are a series of bronze and stone friezes worthy of further inspection. Immediately over the door are twenty-one bronze figures in a 3×7 pattern over the words, “The Employers’ Liability Assurance Corporation Limited.” Each of the workers depicted within the individual friezes are performing a series of manual labors such as sawing, hammering or carving. Situated over the bronze friezes are granite symbols signifying various trades such as shipping and manufacturing for which the former insurance firm undoubtedly covered.

Finally, a larger robed figure holding a sword and shield oversees it all as she stands stoically overseeing this all. Seemingly this figure is meant to represent Employers’ Liability’s capabilities in overseeing (and providing insurance coverage?) over all of the trades and industries depicted on its front façade.

Samuel Appleton was a prominent figure in the insurance industry in Boston for years and the building is named after his former offices. Those former offices have since been taken over by a series of legal and financial advisory firms.

• Website: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM78X6_One_Liberty_Square_Frieze__Boston_MA
• Address: 1 Liberty Square, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Boston Walking Tours : Paul Revere House

Boston Walking Tours Paul Revere House - Located within the heart of Boston’s North End (the Little Italy neighborhood) is Paul Revere’s former home at 19 North Square. The home, mind you, to which he could not even return to for a full year after his famous midnight ride for fear of his life.

This brown clapboard with high pitched roof is actually the oldest home in downtown Boston, having been built in 1680. Revere purchased this house in 1770. To help pay for his home Paul had to undertake numerous jobs. Occupations which Revere held included gold and silver smithing (a trade he learned from his father), political cartoonist (including his famous depiction of the Boston Massacre), copper plate engraver, book plate manufacturer (a small label on the inside cover of a book which would signify the owner of the book), and business card designer.

Boston Walking Tours Paul Revere House 

When Paul moved in with his exceptionally large family of 16 children (8 of which he had with his first wife and 8 with his second), the space was said to be so limited that even the British stayed away. British troops, of course, had their right to the quarter in the homes of families. The Reveres, however, qualified for an exemption due to their limited living space. Paul did find space enough though to, on occasion, host exhibits for friends at his home. During one of these exhibits in 1771 he showed oil paintings which he had drawn of the Boston Massacre and which were illuminated by candlelight (in diorama-like fashion). It is said this showing was just one of several instances which helped plant the early seeds of the Revolution.

Paul eventually sold this home in 1800 and the home took on a series of different lives afterwards, including: a tenement, bank, grocery store, candy store and cigar factory. The home was slated for demolition in the early 20th century before being acquired by a group which included Revere’s great-grandson—John P. Reynolds Jr. Who transformed it into this historical museum.

The museum officially opened in 1908 and provides spectacular insight into 18th century living. 90% of the structure is, per its original design. There is a nominal fee for touring it & this is the most popular attraction along the Freedom Trail. If you do decide to enter the museum and visit, do not miss out on the 900 pound bell cast by Paul Revere located in the courtyard.

**Special thanks to the Paul Revere House for their insight in preparing this entry.

• Website: http://www.paulreverehouse.org
• Address: 19 North Square, Boston, MA
• Cost: Adults $3.50; Seniors and College Students $3; Children (Ages 5-17) $1