Bunker Hill Monument

"Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" is the legendary order made during the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on June 17, 1775. Popularly known as "The Battle of Bunker Hill," it actually took place on nearby Breed's Hill which is now the site of the 221-foot granite obelisk. Construction began in 1827, but due to financial problems, it was not completed until 1843 when Daniel Webster presided over its dedication. Located in Charlestown, Massachusetts the monument has 294 steps to its observation deck. Major renovations and a new museum were completed in 2007. The original monument on this site was an 18-foot wooden pillar with a gilt urn erected in 1794 by King Solomon's Lodge of Masons to honor a fellow mason who died in the conflict. Then, In 1823, a group of prominent citizens formed the Bunker Hill Monument Association to construct a more permanent and significant monument to commemorate the famous battle. The Bunker Hill Monument is another souvenir building which often confuses souvenir building collectors. Looking strikingly similar to a Washington Monument replica, the two are almost identical (perhaps created from a similar mold) with the only difference being the name inscribed on the base. So look closely and don’t pass over this more unusual miniature monument.