“A gateway to another time,” whispered a passerby, pausing at the Westland Gate. The Westland Gate stands proudly at the intersection of the Fenway and Westland Avenue. It beckons visitors to step into the serene beauty of the Back Bay Fens. These aren’t just ordinary gates. They are a magnificent pair of fountains, also known as the Johnson Gates. Erected in 1905, the Westland Gate was a gift from Ellen Cheney Johnson, a wealthy widow. She commissioned the renowned architect Guy Lowell to create this memorial for her late husband, Jesse Johnson. Lowell, the mastermind behind Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, crafted these gates with exquisite detail. Picture two towering marble piers, each adorned with columns at every corner. Bronze lion heads grace each face of the piers, once spouting water into marble basins below. The piers are crafted from pristine white marble, while flanking balustrades and benches boast the soft hue of Tennessee pink marble. Imagine horse-drawn carriages stopping here, the gentle sound of water trickling as the horses drank from the basins. This tranquil scene was commonplace until 1919, when an equine epidemic brought an end to the fountains’ original purpose. The Westland Gate has witnessed the passage of time, undergoing restorations in 1980 and 1990. These efforts breathed new life into the aging marble and bronze. Though time has weathered the stone and silenced the flow of water, the Westland Gate retains its majestic charm. As you stand before this grand entrance to the Back Bay Fens, take a moment to appreciate the artistry and history embedded within the Westland Gate. It serves as a timeless reminder of a bygone era, a testament to love, and a beautiful gateway to urban tranquility.
Rumney Marsh Burial Ground
A chill wind whispers through the aged headstones. This is Rumney Marsh Burial Ground. This historic cemetery dates back to