Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA*
1854 - Charlestown

Charlestown, a city and seaport of Middlesex county, Massachusetts, is situated on a peninsula immediately N. of Boston, with which it is connected by the Warren and Charles River bridges. It is 237 miles by railroad N. E. from New York; 200 miles E. by S. from Albany ; and 1 1 1 miles S. S. W. from Portland ; lat. 42° 2' N., Ion. 71° W 33" W. The peninsula extends from the main land of Summerville about two miles in a south-easterly direction, between two small estuaries, formed by the Mystic and Charles rivers. These are crossed by two public bridges ; the one on the right leading from Prison Point to East Cambridge, and the other to Chelsea and Maiden. The surface is remarkably uneven, and near the centre rises into two prominences called Bunker's and Breed's Hills, the summits and slopes of which afford delightful sites for dwellings. The streets, though irregular, are generally spacious and finely shaded. Two broad avenues, Main and Bunker Hill streets, extend nearly through the entire length of the peninsula. These are intersected at various angles by those passing from the Mystic to Charles River, and others leading to different sections of the city. Charlestown is, for the most part, handsomely built, and contains a large number of elegant mansions. Its healthy atmosphere and proximity to Boston have made it a favorite place of residence to many of the merchants and business men of that city. The principal public buildings are the churches, 8 or 9 in number, a bank, and a State's prison. The latter is situated at the western extremity of the city, on what is called Prison Point. It consists of an octagonal centre, with four wings, having its interior arrangements upon the Auburn plan. The chief object of interest, however, to per sons visiting Charlestown, is the Bunker Hill Monument, erected in commemoration of the first great battle fought between the English and Americans. It stands on Breed's Hill, usually called Bunker Hill, near the spot where the brave Warren fell. Its foundations, which are 50 feet above the level of the sea, are enclosed 12 feet under ground. The corner-stone was laid by the Marquis La Fayette, June 17th, 1825, the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. June 17th. 1843, the completion of the monument was celebrated, in the presence of the President of the United States, many of the members of his cabinet, and a vast concourse of citizens. It consists of a plain granite shaft, 220 feet high, 31 feet square at the base, and 15 at the top. Within is a winding stairway, by which it is ascended to a chamber immediately under the apex, 11 feet in diameter, containing four windows, which afford a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding scenery. In this chamber are two of the four cannon which constituted the whole train of field artillery possessed by the Americans at the commencement of the war, in April, 1775. These two pieces are named respectively Hancock and Adams.

The United States navy-yard at Charles- town, established about the year 1798, is situated at the foot of Bunker Hill. It occupies an area of from 70 to 80 acres, extending from the mouth of Charles river to Chelsea bridge, and is enclosed on the land side by a high stone wall. The dry-dock, at its upper end, was completed in 1883, at a cost of $670,089. It is constructed of chiselled granite, 311 feet long, and 80 wide, having a depth of 30 feet. The first vessel received was the United States frigate Constitution. There are also in the yard four large ship- houses, a granite ropewalk 1300 feet long, the dwellings of the officers, and naval stores to the amount of some $2,000,000. Connected with it, is a naval hospital, located in Chelsea.

Charlestown is memorable for its sufferings during the Revolutionary war. In the early part of the battle of Bunker Hill, fought June 17th, 1775, the town was set on fire by the British and burned to the ground. Incorporated a city in 1847. Population, 17,216.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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