The Most Shocking Discovery When Building America’s First Subway
In 1895, the city of Boston, Massachusetts, decided to undertake a monumental project: building the first subway in America. This endeavor, the Tremont Street Subway, required extensive excavation that led to a bizarre and unsettling discovery. As the city officials dug through two significant historic burial grounds, they stumbled upon more than just forgotten graves; they encountered a mass grave from the American Revolutionary War.
Geographical Context and Initial Excavation
Construction began within the Boston Common, a public park that has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. Excavation for Park Street Station revealed an area known as the Old Burying Ground, where the remains of many poor and sick individuals were interred. City officials had anticipated finding a few bodies, similar to earlier burials, and planned to relocate them as necessary. This mindset was reflective of the attitudes of the time, which viewed the deceased as unknown and unremarkable individuals whose relocation posed minimal concern to society.
Digging Up the Past: A Mass Grave from the Revolutionary War
However, the true horror of the project became apparent as the city dug up the edge of the old Central Burying Ground. Initial expectations of finding a few stray graves were quickly shattered when the workers unearthed a mass grave. Initial suspicions were that this was a cluster of soldiers from the Battle of Bunker Hill, a significant battle fought during the American Revolutionary War in 1775.
Excavation and Discovery
Over the course of 7 months, the team unearthed and relocated approximately 1,000 bodies. This discovery made the construction efforts not only historic but also hauntingly personal, as the remains represented real individuals with connections to one of the most pivotal moments in American history.
The Undertaking and Its Aftermath
While the construction project met much public scrutiny and shock, the actual working conditions were more mundane and dangerous. Despite the eerie atmosphere and the seismic impact of finding Revolutionary War soldiers, no confirmed reports exist of paranormal activity or hauntings from the workers who toiled in the tunnels. Rats and homeless people were reportedly more of a threat than any supernatural phenomena.
Concluding Thoughts and Legacy
The Tremont Street Subway, a significant milestone in Boston's infrastructure, stands as a testament to the city's resilience and progress. Yet, the story behind its construction serves as a poignant reminder of the countless individuals whose lives were forever altered by the American Revolution. For the city and its residents, the discovery symbolized not only Boston's modern development but the weight of its own historical legacy woven into the fabric of everyday life.