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Battle Green In the first skirmish of the Revolutionary War, 80
colonists faced 800 British regulars here on April 19, 1775.
Simonds Tavern (1802-1828) (311 Bedford SL; private) One
of 12 taverns that served drovers bringing cattle and goods from
Vermont and New Hampshire.
Hancock -Clarke House (36 Hancock St.) Paul Revere
stopped here on April 18, 1775, to warn Adams and Hancock.
First Normal School (1 Hancock St.) First Normal School in
the US (1839): now the Masonic Temple.
0 Jonathan Harrington House (1 Harrington Rd.'. private)
Harrington, wounded on the Green, died near his doorstep.
Buckman Tavern (1 Bedford St.) Lexington's oldest tavern
(1710); the Lexington militia gathered here on April 19, 1775.
, Visitor Center (1875 Mass. Ave.) Serves over 100,000 visitors
annually; displays a diorama of the Battle of Lexington, and the
U.S.S Lexington memorial.
Marrett & Nathan Munroe House (1906 Mass. Ave., private)
Nathan Munroe answered the call to arms on April 19, 1775.
The Old Belfry (Mass. Ave. & Clarke St.) Stood on the Green
frorn 1767 to 1797. Its bell sounded the alarrn on April 19, 1775.
0 Cary Memorial Library (1874 Mass. Ave.) The library houses
over 250,000 volumes, materials on the area and the Revolution,
and many works of art.
(€ Lexington Depot (1846) (13 Depot Square) One of the last
surviving train shed depots in New England.
Post Office Mural (1661 Mass. Ave.) In 1939 Lexington
resident A. L. Ripley painted this scene of April 19, 1775.
Cary Memorial Building (1605 Mass. Ave.) Colonial Revival
building; gift of Susanna Cary and Elizabeth Cary Farnham in
memory of their father, Isaac Harris Cary (1803-1881).
Mead House (1505 Mass. Ave.; private) Home of Matthew
Mead in 1775; became a hotel, the Russell House, in 1882,
Resources
The information from these organizations' websites will enhance
your outdoor experience in Lexington!
acrosslexington.org - ACROSS Lexington is a network of
pedestrian and bicycle routes through open space and town
streets that link many parts of the town.
landlockedforest.com - Burlington Landlocked Forest is a
250 -acre parcel of forest land in Burlington that borders Lexington.
It offers 13 miles of trails.
lexingtonma.gov/conservation/coniand.cfm - Lexington has
1300+ acres of conservation land. This link will take you to maps
of the 26 conservation parcels.
folb.net - The Friends of Lexington Bikeways (FoLB) promotes and
supports bicycling and the shared use of bicycle routes, including
the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, in and around Lexington.
arlington202O.org/reservoir/ -The Reservoir Committee of
Arlington's Vision 2020 Environmental Task Group is dedicated to
the preservation and enhancement of the Arlington Reservoir.
In Memoriam: Rick Abrams (1956-2014) was a founding member of the
Greenways Corridor Committee, and an enthusiastic and dedicated
advocate of ACROSS Lexington and the health benefits of walking.
Donations to support ACROSS Lexington are welcome and maybe sent to
ACROSS Lexington Trust Fund
Town of Lexington
1625 Massachusetts Ave.
Lexington, MA 02420
Please make checks out to Town of Lexington, and write Rick Abrams
ACROSS Lexington Trust Fund on the memo line.
Thanks to Laurel Smith - design and layout; Rick Abrams, Peggy Enders,
Eileen Entin, Dorothea Osborne, Ruth Rose, Sam Doran, Charles Hornig,
Stew Kennedy, Keith Ohmart - Contributors; Mike Tabaczynski - GIS;
Damian Strohmeyer - cover photo; Lexington Historical Society, Lexington
Historical Commission - historic map and text; Town of Lexington - financial
and technical support; Northwestern Suburban Health Allianr_e/CHNA 15,
the Rick Abrams ACROSS Lexington Trust Fund - financial support; David
Ticks and mosquitos in the Lexington area may carry
IVharmful diseases. Know your risk and stay informed!
Visit wwwJexingtonma.gov/health.cfm (click on
P„ bb,H� Lexington's Public Health Division) or
"` wvvw.mass.gov/MosquitosAndTicks.
tourlexington.us - Events, dining, lodging, and getting around
in Lexington.
everybodywalk.org -This site is loaded with helpful information
about the health and other benefits of walking and being active.
massbike.org - This is the leading bicycle advocacy organization
in Massachusetts and is an excellent bike safety resource.
foagm.org - The Friends of Arlington's Great Meadows is
dedicated to the protection and stewardship of the 183 -acre
Arlington's Great Meadows, located in the Town of Lexington.
lexfarri - Lexington Community Farm is a community-based
farm located on the Town of Lexington's Busa Farm property. The
farm offers CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) memberships,
hands-on education, food donation programs, and volunteer
opportunities to the community.
John Mulliken House (1377 Mass. Ave.; private) Built in Bowman Tavern (837 Mass. Ave.; private) Run as a tavern
1776 on the foundation of the Raymond Tavern; contains some of (1820-1840), serving teamsters and farmers driving sheep,
the tavern's original timbers. turkeys, and cattle to the slaughterhouses in Brighton.
Mason House (1303 Mass. Ave.; private) The tanner John
Mason was one of the 11 original buyers of the Green in 1711
from Benjamin Muzzey.
Munroe Tavern (1332 Mass. Ave.) Occupied by British Gen
Percy and his reinforcements on the afternoon of April 19, 1775.
0 Robbins House (1716) (1295 Mass. Ave.; private) Said to
have been part of the Underground Railroad during anti -slavery
days and the Civil War.
Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library (Rte. 2A at
Marrett Rd.) Built in 1975, the museum houses exhibits on
America's Masonic history and culture.
Jonathan Harrington House (955 Mass. Ave.'. private)
Harrington, a fifer in Capt. Parker's Minute Men, was the last
survivor of the Battle of Lexington.
Follen Church (1839) (755 Mass. Ave.) Designed by its then
minister, Charles Fallen, a German immigrant said to have brought
the Christmas tree tradition to New England.
Q The Stone Building (735 Mass. Ave.) Built as a lyceum
(1833); hosted debates by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Theodore
Parker, Charles Sumner, Wendell Phillips, Josiah Quincy, Jr., John
C. Park, and possibly Henry David Thoreau.
ED The Brick Store (703 Mass. Ave.. private) One of Lexington's
first brick structures (1828); served as a general store, post office,
lecture hall, and branch library.
40 Four points of interest shown in black are not listed here. For
the complete document go to acrosslexington.org/historic.
-AboutA- ==s gton
ACROSS LEXINGTON (Accessing Conservation land, Recreation
areas, Open space, Schools, and Streets) is a project of the Green-
F,.
ways Corridor Committee, appointed by the Lexington Board of
Selectmen to develop a 40 -mile network of marked routes throughout
the town for the use of walkers, runners, and trail bikers. Four routes
totaling over 17 miles have been completed to date.
-
One of the single best things you can do for your health is to get
moving. According to numerous studies, walking, running, or biking
30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, significantly reduces problems
associated with diabetes and blood pressure, builds muscle tone,
and helps fight depression.
This brochure includes a wealth of information to start you
exploring the natural wanders and historic pathways of Lexington.
So get on your feet, enjoy the outdoors, and start living better!
� v<
Aiii
Marrett & Nathan Munroe House (1906 Mass. Ave., private)
Nathan Munroe answered the call to arms on April 19, 1775.
The Old Belfry (Mass. Ave. & Clarke St.) Stood on the Green
frorn 1767 to 1797. Its bell sounded the alarrn on April 19, 1775.
0 Cary Memorial Library (1874 Mass. Ave.) The library houses
over 250,000 volumes, materials on the area and the Revolution,
and many works of art.
(€ Lexington Depot (1846) (13 Depot Square) One of the last
surviving train shed depots in New England.
Post Office Mural (1661 Mass. Ave.) In 1939 Lexington
resident A. L. Ripley painted this scene of April 19, 1775.
Cary Memorial Building (1605 Mass. Ave.) Colonial Revival
building; gift of Susanna Cary and Elizabeth Cary Farnham in
memory of their father, Isaac Harris Cary (1803-1881).
Mead House (1505 Mass. Ave.; private) Home of Matthew
Mead in 1775; became a hotel, the Russell House, in 1882,
Resources
The information from these organizations' websites will enhance
your outdoor experience in Lexington!
acrosslexington.org - ACROSS Lexington is a network of
pedestrian and bicycle routes through open space and town
streets that link many parts of the town.
landlockedforest.com - Burlington Landlocked Forest is a
250 -acre parcel of forest land in Burlington that borders Lexington.
It offers 13 miles of trails.
lexingtonma.gov/conservation/coniand.cfm - Lexington has
1300+ acres of conservation land. This link will take you to maps
of the 26 conservation parcels.
folb.net - The Friends of Lexington Bikeways (FoLB) promotes and
supports bicycling and the shared use of bicycle routes, including
the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, in and around Lexington.
arlington202O.org/reservoir/ -The Reservoir Committee of
Arlington's Vision 2020 Environmental Task Group is dedicated to
the preservation and enhancement of the Arlington Reservoir.
In Memoriam: Rick Abrams (1956-2014) was a founding member of the
Greenways Corridor Committee, and an enthusiastic and dedicated
advocate of ACROSS Lexington and the health benefits of walking.
Donations to support ACROSS Lexington are welcome and maybe sent to
ACROSS Lexington Trust Fund
Town of Lexington
1625 Massachusetts Ave.
Lexington, MA 02420
Please make checks out to Town of Lexington, and write Rick Abrams
ACROSS Lexington Trust Fund on the memo line.
Thanks to Laurel Smith - design and layout; Rick Abrams, Peggy Enders,
Eileen Entin, Dorothea Osborne, Ruth Rose, Sam Doran, Charles Hornig,
Stew Kennedy, Keith Ohmart - Contributors; Mike Tabaczynski - GIS;
Damian Strohmeyer - cover photo; Lexington Historical Society, Lexington
Historical Commission - historic map and text; Town of Lexington - financial
and technical support; Northwestern Suburban Health Allianr_e/CHNA 15,
the Rick Abrams ACROSS Lexington Trust Fund - financial support; David
Ticks and mosquitos in the Lexington area may carry
IVharmful diseases. Know your risk and stay informed!
Visit wwwJexingtonma.gov/health.cfm (click on
P„ bb,H� Lexington's Public Health Division) or
"` wvvw.mass.gov/MosquitosAndTicks.
tourlexington.us - Events, dining, lodging, and getting around
in Lexington.
everybodywalk.org -This site is loaded with helpful information
about the health and other benefits of walking and being active.
massbike.org - This is the leading bicycle advocacy organization
in Massachusetts and is an excellent bike safety resource.
foagm.org - The Friends of Arlington's Great Meadows is
dedicated to the protection and stewardship of the 183 -acre
Arlington's Great Meadows, located in the Town of Lexington.
lexfarri - Lexington Community Farm is a community-based
farm located on the Town of Lexington's Busa Farm property. The
farm offers CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) memberships,
hands-on education, food donation programs, and volunteer
opportunities to the community.
John Mulliken House (1377 Mass. Ave.; private) Built in Bowman Tavern (837 Mass. Ave.; private) Run as a tavern
1776 on the foundation of the Raymond Tavern; contains some of (1820-1840), serving teamsters and farmers driving sheep,
the tavern's original timbers. turkeys, and cattle to the slaughterhouses in Brighton.
Mason House (1303 Mass. Ave.; private) The tanner John
Mason was one of the 11 original buyers of the Green in 1711
from Benjamin Muzzey.
Munroe Tavern (1332 Mass. Ave.) Occupied by British Gen
Percy and his reinforcements on the afternoon of April 19, 1775.
0 Robbins House (1716) (1295 Mass. Ave.; private) Said to
have been part of the Underground Railroad during anti -slavery
days and the Civil War.
Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library (Rte. 2A at
Marrett Rd.) Built in 1975, the museum houses exhibits on
America's Masonic history and culture.
Jonathan Harrington House (955 Mass. Ave.'. private)
Harrington, a fifer in Capt. Parker's Minute Men, was the last
survivor of the Battle of Lexington.
Follen Church (1839) (755 Mass. Ave.) Designed by its then
minister, Charles Fallen, a German immigrant said to have brought
the Christmas tree tradition to New England.
Q The Stone Building (735 Mass. Ave.) Built as a lyceum
(1833); hosted debates by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Theodore
Parker, Charles Sumner, Wendell Phillips, Josiah Quincy, Jr., John
C. Park, and possibly Henry David Thoreau.
ED The Brick Store (703 Mass. Ave.. private) One of Lexington's
first brick structures (1828); served as a general store, post office,
lecture hall, and branch library.
40 Four points of interest shown in black are not listed here. For
the complete document go to acrosslexington.org/historic.
Points of Interest
Route A (5.4 mi)
0Visitors Center offers information and hospitality
ubewt�ween 9,00 A.M. and 5:00 P, M., 362 days a year.
m ��� lVi� The Minuteman Bikeway is one of the most popular
rail -trails in the U.S. and is in the Rail -Trail Hall of Fame.
(ul°) Vine Brook provided waterpower for the town in the
17th and 18th centuries. It flows from the Old Reservoir,
runs under Lexington Center, and eventually empties into
the Shawsheen River.
(",'q lu) Lower Vine Brook conservation area covers 108
forested acres and includes 2.1 miles of trails. Route A
follows a paved path running along Vine Brook itself, but
other trails lead to old sand and gravel pits, row ponds.
GLexington Tree Farm began in 2007 and is a joint
venture of the Conservation Department, the DPW, and
the Lexington Tree Committee. It can hold 500 trees.
0Today s North Street conservation area was an
operating sand pit as recently as the 1950s, when it
supplied sand for the construction of parts of Route
128. Now a large pond inhabits the 26 -acre forest
and wildlife habitat.
(ii um Willard's Woods conservation area comprises 107
acres of fields, meadow, pine groves, and wetlands.
Geologically, much of Willard's Woods is a kettle hole, a
depression formed about 10,000 years ago by the
melting of a mass of glacial ice. There is a picnic area.
0Chiesa Farm conservation area has 18 acres of
pasture along Adams Street. Traces of a ring tramped by
the farm's horses are visible near where the trail enters
Adams Street.
0 Parker Meadow conservation area, comprising 17
acres of fields, forest, and wetlands, was farmed early in
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the 17th century. It is named for a later owner, Jonas Parker, Route C (2.6 ml)
who was killed on Lexington Common on April 19, 1775. In the 10 The Cataldo Reservation links the Minuteman
early 1980s the Lexington Conservation Commission built a
pond around a spring there as a habitat for wildlife and to Bikeway to the Arlington Reservoir
protect the watershed. There is a picnic area. ,,iii ilii
���The Arlington Reservoir, built in 1873, originally
supplied water to Arlington. The Town of Arlington
Route B (4.5 mi) maintains a swimming beach along Lowell Street.
(��i I upper Vine Brook–Cotton Farm conservation area
comprises 52 mostly wetland acres. A trail on its eastern
edge passes an active apple orchard and a picnic area.
wi ) Three Watersheds originate in Lexington at about
t is junction: the watersheds of the Charles River, the
Shawsheen River, and the Mystic River. The streams
move and clean water, provide wildlife habitats, create
wetlands, and offer aesthetic pleasure to visitors.
G
Dunback Meadow, Lexington's largest conservation
area, was once used for harvesting peat and pasturing
cows. Today it's known as an excellent birding site.
II) Old Reservoir, known today by locals as "The Res,"
nce provided drinking water to Lexington and the
surrounding areas. Now it's a popular recreational site for
swimming and skating.
Im Lincoln Park was a town dump until the 1980s, when
it was transformed into a 60 -acre recreational area
featuring trails, a pond, and playflelds.
1�3� Belfry Hill Park contains a replica of the bell tower
that once sat on Lexington Green. On April 19, 1775, the
bell sounded the alarm that the Regulars were coming.
�!! �1111OThe Battle Green saw the first battle of the American
Revolution. On April 19, 1775, 80 Lexington Minutemen
faced 800 British Regulars. A statue of John Parker, leader
of the militia, memorializes those who fought.
SInfinity Pond is a certified vernal pool—full in the
spring but dry in the surnrner. Aquatic animals such as
fairy shrimp, spotted salamanders, and wood frogs
thrive there: the pool has no fish that would attack their
eggs and young.
6 Arlington's Great Meadows, a 183 -acre parcel of
land owned by Arlington but located in Lexington, is the
largest piece of undeveloped land in the two towns.
Arlington purchased the land in 1871 as a supplemen-
tary water -storage area but used it for that purpose only
briefly. The Meadows remains a valuable buffer against
flooding in the downstream area.
Route D (3.4 mi)
s Whipple Hill conservation area is named for Joseph
Reed Whipple, who owned a produce and dairy farm in
the late 1800s. Glaciers dragged huge boulders here,
leaving deep scratches still evident. Whipple Hill's
374 -foot summit is the highest point in Lexington. On a
clear day you can see mountains to the north and west.
is The area known as Sun Valley—along Whipple Hill,
Locke Lane, and Fairlawn Lane—was developed in the
1950s. Many of its original ranch -style homes had
unheated sunrooms.
10 Lexington Community Farm (LexFarm), a nonprofit
community-based farm, sells its produce through shares
and a farm stand. It offers hands-on education and
volunteer programs and donates to food pantries.