Charles Eliot Memorial

This square monument was designed by Arthur Shurcliff as part of his Esplanade expansion. The memorial is a tribute to landscape architect Charles Eliot who worked on such notable works as Arnold Arboretum, Franklin Park and the Fens all in Boston. What is remarkable is the number of notable works on Charles was involved as he faced a tragic death at the youthful age of 38 due to spinal meningitis.

Eliot is often considered one of the founders of the metropolitan park system and thus his memorial lists the parks which are located in each direction engraved into the stone. Here we find directions to such local parks as Waltham Hills, Beaver Brooks (both to the West), Middlesex Fells, Mystic Lakes, Mystic River (to the North), Revere Beach, Winthrop Shore, Quincy Shore (to the East), Blue Hills, Neponset River and Stony Brook (to the South). On the south side of the granite memorial is also a brief dedication to Mr. Eliot that reads, “He sought out Hill Forest Shore For All To Enjoy.”

Photo 86e, July 2012

Charles Eliot Memorial

Photo 88e, July 2012