![]() Through all that change, the Wishing Stone played a role in the lore of the Common and the community. Where it had been green pasture, by 1851 approximately 1,255 elms and evergreens graced the Common. Killiney Hill and Dalkey Hill form part of Killiney Hill Park, a small public park overlooking both Dalkey and Killiney villages. By 1830, the city had banished the cows and added tree-lined malls and paths. The famous architect Charles Bulfinch designed the State House and under his direction, the center of Boston developed a dignified classical style. The Massachusetts State House was constructed in 1797, and many new residences were built along Tremont, Park and Beacon Streets. Entering the evacuated town a year later, George Washington inspected the Common, badly battered but reclaimed forever-after as a source of civic pride. From its shore, Redcoats departed on Apfor Lexington and Concord. Throughout the Colonial years, the Common was a focal point of military activity. Some historical context for the time on Boston Common. There was the Wishing Stone, near the Joy Street gate, a rough rock on and round it was the custom to perform certain ritual observances in the belief that wishes made upon their completion would come true.” Boston Common Scenes from Four Centuries by M.A. And why should they not? There was the Frog Pond for the water-supply of firemen’s play-outs, for the sailing of toy boats in summer, for skating in winter. ![]() They look back upon it, much as they remember the country holidays of childhood, with a particular fondness. From the eighteenth century, “It is safe to say, moreover, that just because it was the playground of so many Bostonians of the older generations, it has taken a hold upon the affections and imaginations which time has not relaxed. Many things never change, and the Common has always provided an outlet for the energies of the young. Hale was showing the Dean of Westminster around Boston in 1878, “We took a carriage at once, quite early in the afternoon, and went first that he might see where the Wishing Stone was, and so down to the iron fence which surrounds the relics of the Old Elm.” “Once, in her zeal to make the Wishing Stone grant her wish, Louy (Louisa May Alcott’s nickname) drove not only her hoop into that very Frog Pond, but her own self after it.”Įdward Everett Hale, beloved Bostonian with his own statue in the Public Garden, mentions the Wishing Stone in his memoir “Historic Boston and its Neighborhood”. Stern mentions the Wishing Stone several times. The Wishing Stone is mentioned by well-known authors from the era, as a unique feature on Boston Common.Ī biography of Louisa May Alcott by Madeline B. It apparently was blown up (as in detonated) around 1820, though the reason for the destruction is lost to time. Unfortunately, no illustrations exist, but it was a large granite boulder near the junction of the Beacon Street Mall and the path leading to Joy Street and according to the superstition at the time, the young people used to walk around it nine times (!) and then sit or stand on it to silently make their wishes. Are the stories true or is it just fiction? The Wishing Stone on the Common qualifies as both quirky and true.Ī popular feature of the Common in the early days was the Wishing Stone. There are many quirky stories about Boston Common and features of the park that have since disappeared. Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial Restoration.Your ears and eyes open, it’s easy enough ![]() Minute, a Merry Little Breeze came hurrying The very tender įinest, softest grasses for the inside. Wasn’t, and so he thought it best to avoid It was delightfully cool and comfortable. I wish I was a meadow-mouse!”īare-legged, freckle-faced, sulky boy sitting The eyes disappeared,ĭoubtful, a little fearful, but tremendously It just as he had been scowling at everybodyĪs if he thought it had no business to be The other fellows were over at the swimming-hole. Want to find anything pleasant or nice in ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WISHING-STONE STORIES***Īnd the Online Distributed Proofreading Team ![]() Located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of theĬountry where you are located before using this ebook.Īuthor: Thornton W. Under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this You may copy it, give it away or re-use it This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United StatesĪnd most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no (Thornton Waldo) Burgess, Illustrated by Harrison Cady (Thornton Waldo) Burgess The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Wishing-Stone Stories, by Thornton W. The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Wishing-Stone Stories, by Thornton W.
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