The Landscape Architect’s Guide to

Highland Park and Fort Hill

Your Guide

When people think of historic Roxbury, Fort Hill always comes to mind. During the Revolutionary War, Colonial troops were positioned in various high spots around Boston in order to keep an eye out for the British army. Henry Knox, Josiah Waters, and the Colonial Army assembled a fort on this hill in 1775.

In 1895, Frederick Law Olmsted was commissioned to renovate the site. Highland Park marks the highest point in Roxbury. From here you can clearly see the Back Bay neighborhood to the north, and the Fenway and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods to the west.

View Sites Nearby

The Standpipe

The Standpipe, a 130 foot tall brick tower built in 1869 by the Cochichuate Water Company, was a high pressure water tank. Situated on the area's highest point, this gave gravitational pressure to the system. A spiral staircase which wrapped around the water tank still remains.

Image: Kenya Thompson Highland 2

Park Boundary

The park is surrounded on four sides by residences, while a retaining wall bounds the east, north, and west sides of the site.

Image: Kenya Thompson Highland 3

Lush Entrance

The main entrance to the park is located at the top of Fort Avenue. Walk up the granite steps and you’ll be surrounded by lush vegetation. Take a left to go straight to the tower, or take a right to go to the hillside.

Image: Kenya Thompson Highland 4

Puddingstone Wall

The walls forming the sides of the stairs are made of Roxbury Puddingstone, also known as Roxbury Conglomerate. This stone gets its name because it looks like stones in pudding. Puddingstone is a natural resource and outcroppings are found all throughout Roxbury.

Image: Kenya Thompson Highland 5

Footprint of the Fort

The hill was fortified during the British occupation of Boston. Referencing the history of the hill, four bastions that also act as concrete seats were added to the park’s design. Each bastion marks the corner points of the fort.

Image: Kenya Thompson Highland 6

Fort Hill

The hill has a steep slope near the base of the park and a gradual slope midway. The most level part of the site is at the top of the hill. There is a granite marker commemorating the fort and its role during the siege of Boston.

Image: Kenya Thompson Highland 7

Shade Under the Willows

The best spot for shade is under the grove of weeping willow trees located behind the tower.

Image: Kenya Thompson Highland 8

Natural Barrier

The puddingstone operates as a natural barrier and there is no need for a retaining wall on the south side of the site.

Image: Kenya Thompson Highland 9

Gothic Revival Tower

The tower looks like a lighthouse overlooking the neighborhoods of Boston. This Gothic Revival style structure is a landmark which serves as an observatory.

Image: Kenya Thompson Highland 10

Natural Outcroppings

The south side of the park has the most exposure of Roxbury puddingstone. Here, the natural outcrops of stone act like mounds to sit or climb upon.

Image: Kenya Thompson