Fort Revere in Hull, Massachusetts, is one of the neatest places you can visit in the area. It has views of Boston Harbor, Hingham Bay and on a clear enough day, the Boston skyline. The surrounding park area (some 8 acres) has an observation tower, a picnic area and even a small museum. It is mere minutes from Nantasket Beach and the restaurants and attractions there. All in all it is a historic, educational and fun place to visit.
Fort Revere was built in 1776, as a defense measure for the Boston Harbor. It sits on Telegraph Hill, on a small peninsula that juts out before the harbor. In this position, the fort has a clear view of both Hingham Bay and the Boston Harbor. Today the site also overlooks Hull Village and a small cemetery with a gravestone that is legend among local visitors. The gravestone can be seen from atop the walls of the fort and the epitaph reads simply, “I told you I was sick.”
What is left of Fort Revere today is a few simple concrete and brick bunkers and some gun mounts. It is known to locals as “the forts.” It is obviously only one fort or literally, several bunkers, but that is what they call it. There is also an observation tower that was added later and that is in much batter shape than the fort itself. Fort Revere itself is going back to nature, for the most part.
Once you get to the top of Telegraph Hill, Fort Revere is accessible by a flight of stairs or a short walk down a small, but steep hill. The view from the top of the hill is of a concrete mass with windows and stairs and you can also see the circular impressions where the guns were once mounted. The odd thing about the view is the grass that covers the top of the bunkers. If you get down to the fort and then climb the steps to the top of the bunkers, it is not unlike standing on the top of a natural hill.
What is left of Fort Revere is rather interesting, but there are a few things you should know before you visit. The interior is very dark, even during the day. Some of the rooms have windows, but not all, so a flashlight can come in handy. Also, a pair of sneakers works far better than sandals. Because Fort Revere is so close to Nantasket Beach, you may be tempted to keep your flip-flops on, but that is not advisable. Irresponsible visitors have been known to leave all kinds of suspicious litter inside of the fort. It is kept relatively clean, but you don’t want to take the chance of stepping on something of a questionable nature. Sneakers also come in handy if you wish to climb the crumbling stairs to the wall so that you can see the view from the top.
The interior of the Fort Revere bunkers is falling into disarray. They are safe for now and can be entered, but be prepared to see crumbling brick walls and massive amounts of graffiti. Some of the rooms are simply walls with two doorways on either side, and others are a little more interesting with what look like concrete beds and fireplaces. The exterior is a series of bunkers, stairways and gun mounts. One can climb to the top of one bunker and follow the wall to the other side of the fort, if they are careful.
The views from Fort Revere and the unique experience of seeing a Revolutionary War fort going back to nature are worth the visit. It would be nice if the whole thing got cleaned up a bit, however it is what it is and it is certainly appreciable. If you would like to visit the fort, the hours are from sunrise to sundown every day of the year. If you go any time other than the midsummer months, you may want to bring a sweatshirt or a heavy jacket, depending on the season. It gets chilly and you’ll want to enjoy the view for a while.
