Over 2300 headstones whisper stories here. Welcome to Granary Burying Ground. Established in 1660, Granary Burying Ground is Boston’s third oldest cemetery. It got its name from a 12000-bushel grain storage building that once stood next door. Imagine cattle grazing among the graves. Originally, this land was part of Boston Common.
Initially called South Burying Ground, the name changed in 1737. This historic site holds around 5000 remains. Many graves are unmarked.
Notable figures rest here. Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams all lie here. Three signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried in Granary Burying Ground. Even Benjamin Franklin’s parents are here.
The tombstones reflect Boston’s Puritan past. Puritans avoided religious imagery. Gravestones feature skulls, skeletons, and Father Time. Look for the “death’s head” and “soul effigy.” These carvings represented the soul’s journey to heaven.
In 1830, the cemetery transformed into a park-like space. Trees and shrubbery were planted. Headstones were aligned. An Egyptian revival gate was added. Isaiah Rogers designed it.
A hidden crypt was discovered in recent years. A woman fell through the ground into it. It is thought to be the resting place of Boston mayor Jonathan Armitage. He died in 1751.
An obelisk marks the Franklin family burial site. Another obelisk marks John Hancock’s grave. He signed the Declaration of Independence. Five victims of the Boston Massacre also rest here. Their markers were moved in the 1800s.
Some visitors report paranormal activity in Granary Burying Ground. They see apparitions, orbs, and shadow figures. James Otis Jr., a lawyer, is said to haunt the cemetery. A bottle struck his head in a bar fight. Legend says he asked to be killed by lightning. He was and now he appears in colonial attire.
The Granary Burying Ground is managed by Boston’s Parks and Recreation Department. It is open to the public free of charge. Come explore Boston’s history and maybe encounter a ghost or two in Granary Burying Ground. Feel the eerie past come alive.