**History of Boston Common** For hundreds of years, Boston Common — the oldest public park in the United States — has mirrored the life of the city and the nation.

In 1634, English settlers purchased 45 acres from hermit William Blaxton and designated the land for "common use." For the next 200 years, the Common was open pasture, sloping to the marshes of the Charles River about where Charles Street is today. Cattle grazed, people strolled, militia trained, criminals were hanged. British soldiers encamped for eight years before the Revolution, and cut down all the trees. In 1789, President George Washington addressed the cheering populace.

During the 19th century, new trees, formal paths, lawns, decorative fences and gates, fountains and monuments were added to the Common. The gallows was removed in 1817, and cows were banned in 1830. The Public Garden, the nation's first botanical park, was established in 1837 on filled-in marshland to the west. The Civil War era saw abolitionist rallies and enlistment drives. At the end of the century, the first subway in America was built beneath the Common from Park Street to Boylston Street.

In the 20th century, victory gardens were planted during World War I, while the iron fence surrounding the Common was melted down for scrap in World War II. The Freedom Trail was established in the 1950s, and the underground garage was constructed in the 1960s. Public figures from presidents and religious leaders to popular singers and musicians have made appearances on the Common throughout the century. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, Boston Common is recognized for its important place in the history of Boston and protected for future generations to enjoy.