Granary Burying Ground was founded in 1660 on Tremont Street in Boston. It is the third-oldest cemetery in the city and the final resting place for many of the notable Revolutionary War-era patriots. When you visit with your car rental Boston, you can see the graves of three signers of the Declaration of Independence and five victims of the Boston Massacre. It is adjacent to Park Street Church and across the street from Suffolk University Law School.

Cemetery history

The Burying Ground was established in 1660 because the first cemetery in the city, King's Chapel Burying Ground, was insufficient to meet the city's needs with the population growing. The cemetery was originally part of the Boston Common, which at that time took up the whole block. Tombs were initially placed at the back of the property, and in 1717, a town vote was passed to enlarge the Burying Ground by taking part of the highway on the eastern side (now Tremont Street). The enlargement was carried out in 1720 and 15 tombs were assigned to a number of Boston families. One of the most striking parts of the cemetery were the eleven large elms on Tremont Street. Unfortunately, you cannot see these when you visit with your rental car Boston.

Notable graves

When you visit with your Boston car rental, you will find an obelisk that was erected in 1827 to the parents and relatives of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was born in Boston, but buried in Philadelphia. The obelisk was constructed to replace the original Franklin family gravestones that were in poor condition at the time. Near the Tremont Street entrance, you will also find the ashes of the casualties of the Boston Massacre, which occurred on March 5, 1770. Famous burials here include those of Samuel Adams, Peter Faneuil, Mother Goose, John Hancock, James Otis, Paul Revere, and others.

Other sites to see

When you are here with your Boston rental car, you may also want to check out King's Chapel Burying Ground. This is the oldest cemetery in the city. It was founded in 1630, with the church being added in 1686. There is also the Copp's Hill Burying Ground, which is at the North End of Boston. This is the second oldest burying ground in the city. People who were buried here include Robert Newman (who placed the signal lanterns in the steeple of Old North Church for Paul Revere's midnight ride). There are also many unmarked African American graves for those who lived in the "New Guinea" community at the foot of the hill. This is a frequent stop for tourists and photographers.

Walk the city

This historical site can be found on the Freedom Trail, which runs through downtown Boston. It will take you by foot to 16 significant historic sites in the city, from the Boston Common to Bunker Hill Monument. Other sites on the trail are Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel, King's Burying Ground, Benjamin Franklin statue, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, and the USS Constitution.

When you visit with your Boston car rental, you will find that Granary Burying Ground is an interesting place to visit and photograph. There are also two other historic cemeteries in the area that you can walk to while you explore the Freedom Trail. Within this cemetery, you will find the graves of some of the Revolutionary war heroes and many other historic Bostonians.