Upper Boston Post Road #8 (UBPR#8) Alternate Route Entry #3 We then traveled through a very fine country, missed our way and went to Southborough; we were obliged to turn back a mile to get the right road. Ensign Henry DeBerniere in his report to General Thomas Gage, Saturday, February 25, 1775. Sometimes travelers get… (read more)
Upper Boston Post Road #7 (UPBR#7) Alternate Route Entry #2 “We then asked him for the inns that were on the road between the house and Worcester, he recommended us two, one about nine miles from his house, a Mr. Buckminster’s….” Ensign Henry DeBerniere, in his report to General Gage, February 23, 1775. Two spies,… (read more)
Upper Boston Post Road #6 (UPBR #6) Alternate Route Entry #1 “About 10 Mr. Gerry called me, and we rode to Framingham, where we dined. Coll. Buckminster after Dinner shewed us, the Train of Artillery brought down from Ticonderoga, by Coll. Knox.” Diary of John Adams, Thursday, January 25, 1776 Immediately upon entering Wayland I… (read more)
Upper Boston Post Road #5 (UBPR #5) “We were resolved to go the Sudbury road, (which was the main road that led to Worcester ) and go as far as the the thirty-seven mile-stone, where we had left the main road and taken the Framingham road.” Ensign Henry DeBerniere, from his report to General Thomas… (read more)
For Cheryl, whose journey was cut short. ***** Why? This is the most frequent question I am asked about this project. What possible reason could I have for wandering along some old road on foot when I could much more easily and comfortably drive to all the interesting spots along the way and get to… (read more)
Upper Boston Post Road Entry #4 (UBPR #4) “It was my dream that screwed up, the stupid hearthside idea that it would be wonderful to follow one great red line across America…” Jack Kerouac, On The Road, p. 13. ***** There’s no @*&# sidewalk! Standing on the busy edge of Route 20 next to Dunkin’… (read more)
Upper Boston Post Road Entry #3 (UBPR#3) “Sudbury Road, now Main Street, early laid out as a principal thoroughfare to the western settlements, extended through the comparatively uninhabited plain, important only as a means of communication to distant regions. The fact that the territory was unsettled doubtless accounts for its generous width and straight direction…”… (read more)
Upper Boston Post Road Entry #2 (UBPR #2) “You will go through the counties of Suffolk and Worcester, taking a sketch of the country as you pass; It is not expected you should make out regular plans and surveys, but mark out the roads and distances from town to town, and also the situation and… (read more)
Upper Boston Post Road Entry #1 (UBPR #1) “Main Street through Weston, Waltham, and Watertown to Mill Bridge over the Charles River was the Ancient Post Road, originally called the County Road, and later the Sudbury Road.” Stephen Jenkins, The Old Boston Post Road, (1913), p. 371. *** Watertown Square is less a square and… (read more)
A brief analysis of the routes out of Boston to Watertown and beyond, also called the Upper Post Road. It is easy to take the relative ease of travel in the modern world for granted. I recently visited India for the first time and, in the course of traveling, I reflected how long and difficult… (read more)
