|
Random Facts about the Bunker Hill Monument
THE BUNKER HILL MONUMENT
The monument is a square shaft, built of Quincy granite, 221
feet high, 31 feet square at the base and 15 at the top. Its
foundations are inclosed 12 feet under ground. Inside the
shaft is a round, hollow cone, 7 feet wide at the bottom and
4 feet 2 inches at the top, encircled by a winding staircase
of 224 stone steps, which leads to a chamber immediately
under the apex, 11 feet in diameter. The chamber has four
windows, which afford a wide view of the surrounding
country, and contains two cannons, named respectively
Hancock and Adams, which were used in many engagements
during the war. The corner-stone of the monument was laid on
the fiftieth anniversary of the battle, June 17, 1825, by
Lafayette, who was then visiting America, when Webster
pronounced the oration. The monument was completed, and June
17, 1843, was dedicated, Webster again delivering the
oration.
|
