American Oil Company

“ Boston Opera House
Located on the corner of Opera Place, which was formerly called St. Stephen’s, for years it has been used for the Metropolitan Opera singers, as well as local opera. Leaving the Opera House, we again turn right on Huntington Avenue and proceed to the
Museum of Fine Arts
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts occupies the unique position of being one of the few museums in the world created and supported solely by private citizens. The Museum is well equipped with guides who are commissioned to explain to the visitors any part of the collection about which one wishes to know. ”

“ No funerals, marriages or social entertainments add to its income. The church is built of Indiana limestone and New Hampshire granite, New Hampshire being the native state of Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science. The great organ is a notable instrument, its gilded pipes rising behind the quiet and dignified rostrum whereon stand the two desks for the readers who conduct the services. ”

“ If you are not too tired you may continue on your way over the shore road making the complete trip around Cape Ann, a promontory which extends out into the Atlantic Ocean with its beautiful entrancing rocks, beaches and rolling sea. ”

“ At the edge of the cemetery we find an old granite milestone which bears the inscription “Boston 8 miles 1734.”
Entering our car we swing left around the Common following the traffic arrows and pass
Harvard University
This is the oldest and in many ways the most distinguished school of learning in the United States. Built in 1636. However, this priority is oftentimes disputed as William and Mary College in Virginia claims its date of charter to be 1617. In order to visit Harvard you should set aside a whole day. ”

“ The Boston you see around you today is the capital city of the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with a population, in its Greater Boston area, of 2,307,897, and it covers 1022.6 square miles. The town was settled over three hundred years ago by a God-loving people of rugged character, industry and vision. ”

“ Leaving the State House, walk straight down Beacon Street with the Boston Common on your left. Cross Charles Street and enter the
Public Gardens
This is about one-half the size of the Common and contains an artificial pond of irregular shape, the beauty of which is enhanced by the graceful swan boats which glide over its surface. A monument commemorating the discovery of ether is erected at one side of the Gardens; thousands of men and women visit this shrine yearly. ”

“ Pass the Green and turn right at Monument Street. About one-half mile down this street, we come to the old Battle Field. Park your car in the space provided and walk through the Parkway to the
CONCORD BRIDGE
Concord Bridge
Here we see the grave of the unknown British soldiers and the Minute Man statue, erected to the heroes “who fired the shot heard round the world.” You will be impressed by the beautiful surroundings and the silence. When you have dreamed long enough, 21 get in the car, drive back to Concord Green, turn left on to Route 126. ”

“ John Quincy Adams House
Here on July 11, 1767, the sixth President of the United States was born. It is filled with antiques and evokes stirring memories. Historians are in both houses to answer questions. Both houses are open every day from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. Admission 25c to each house.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS HOUSE
After you have visited these two historic houses, turn the car around and retrace your journey over Franklin to School Street, turning right and continue to Quincy Avenue where you again turn right and follow to Route 3. ”

“ The Boston Public Gardens will be on your left and after crossing Charles Street the Boston Common will be on the left. At the second stop light turn left at Tremont Street. Continue along Tremont Street, still passing the Common on the left, until we come to the Old Park Street Church, spoken of in one of our earlier chapters, the Granary Cemetery, the Parker House (made famous by Parker House rolls) , opposite which is King’s Chapel and King’s Chapel burying ground. ”

“ The general effect is one of breadth, spaciousness, and all pervading light. Within and without, the church demands attention and admiration as one of the largest and most impressive churches in the world. ”

“ Today it has grown into this great modern manufacturing and commercial center. It boasts of two hundred universities, colleges and schools, of which the major ones are Boston University, Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Radcliffe, Wellesley, Tufts, Simmons, Boston College, New England Conservatory of Music, Northeastern, and Massachusetts School of Art. There are two hundred and twenty-four public libraries available with more than four million books. There are five museums open to the public. ”

“ To the stranger who does not know the true topography of Massachusetts but who recalls various poems and songs, it is always a surprise not to find a “stern and rock-bound coast.” Sand is in great abundance, the beaches and sand bluffs extending in all directions. ”

“ You will pass the largest lobster fishery in America. It is impossible for you to get lost as the road winds around and back into Gloucester, where you may retrace your ride along Route 127 to Beverly where you follow Route 1-A to Salem. At Salem swing right on to Essex Street, leaving Salem by way of Route 107 to Lynn. ”

“ We bear right here and continue. 8/10 of a mile from this point we come to two ice cream parlors, one on each side of the road. Drive in the right hand one. Here we find a monument telling the story of “The Capture of Paul Revere.” William Dawes, who also rode from Boston, escaped 20 the British, leaving Dr. Prescott alone to carry the news of the British advance. ”

“ Here met Colonial Courts and Legislators, town and city governments and the General Court of the Commonwealth. It was used as a City Hall from 1830 to 1840. It is open to the public from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m., daily. From the windows, one may look out on the Washington Street side and see the site of Paul Revere’s Silver Shop.
Leaving the old State House, pause for a moment at Number 28 9 State Street. Here is another historic site where stood the Royal Exchange Tavern, from which the first stage coach started to New York on September 7, 1772, “to go once every fourteen days.” ”

“ The history of this great company goes back to 1623 when the Pilgrim Fathers founded Gloucester. There is every evidence to prove that the present officers are descendants of the original settlers even though the present company had its organization in 1849. ”