Saturday, April 22, 2017

Boston’s Paul Revere Mall

The Paul Revere Mall, known just as The Prado by locals, was developed in 1933. In the midst of this mall is a large fountain. Attached to a brick wall along the south side of the park is a series of about a dozen bronze plaques. Each plaque honors respected North End locals from the past. In addition, there are plaques which commemorate Paul Revere and William Dawes, and a larger relief which depicts a map of the area as it would have appeared 1646.

The centerpiece of the Paul Revere Mall though, is obviously the large equestrian statue of Paul Revere. The piece sculpted by Cyrus Edwin Dallin who was commissioned to do the statue when he was only 22 years old. Maybe it was his youth, inexperience, or maybe Cyrus has been just a perfectionist because it took him some sixteen years to finalize the sculpture. Reportedly four to seven versions actually precede the version currently situated in front of you now. The statue, however, was finally unveiled in September of 1940.

Paul Revere Mall
Paul Revere Mall
The sculpture itself depicts Revere astride his horse, supposedly, en route during his famous Midnight Ride. Revere is shown in his colonial tricorne hat and coat with his right arm hanging out as if waving or gesturing. Interestingly enough the depiction of Revere also shows him as a tall, slender gentleman when in actuality he was of medium height and a bit stocky.

If you explore the area a bit further, there is a historical marker that is located under a green awning on Hanover Street (on the SE corner of the park). Attached to the building about eye height is a sign which speaks to the various Festas which occur in the North End area throughout the summer season.


  • Website: http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=19275
  • Address: Intersection of Hanover Street and Clark Street, Boston, MA
  • Cost: Free


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