Prospect Hill Park

On January 1, 1776, George Washington ordered the Grand Union Flag be flown from a 76ft mast atop Prospect Hill. Bearing thirteen stripes representing the united colonies with the crosses of St Andrew in the corner, it is considered the first American flag and this is the first time it was so proudly waved.

The flag flew over Prospect Hill until British troops were driven out of the city; and it served the purpose of the national flag until the new nation officially adopted the Stars and Stripes the following year.

The granite tower was built in 1903 to commemorate the site's historical significance. Today you can see why the patriots chose this spot to wave their flag, as the tall tower gives a spectacular panorama across Cambridge, Charlestown and Boston. The tower is open once a year - on New Year's Day - when the city of Somerville sponsors a reenactment of the flag-raising.

Prospect Hill overlooks Union Sq from the north. Walk up Stone St and climb the stairs to the top of the hill.