The Turkey Hill water tower as seen from Gray Street. September 19, 2011.
In Contrast
Category Landmark
Towering Through the Trees
The dome of the Park Avenue water tower seen above—and through—the trees from the grounds around the Turkey Hill water tower. June 7, 2010.
Winslow Street
Winslow Towers on an overcast day in Arlington Center. As seen from Winslow Street. November 23, 2011.
A Gift From Hauck
A plaque on the side of the Uncle Sam statue in Arlington Center memorializing the people who made it possible.
November 23, 2011.
Lion’s Mane
A lion’s head on the Civil War Monument in Arlington Center. March 13, 2012.
Tower Clock
A plaque commemorating a gift to the First Parish Unitarian Universalist church in Arlington Center. April 4, 2012.
Consecrated in 1775
A plaque at Massachusetts Avenue and Lowell Street reminding passers by of the fighting on the first day of the American Revolution at the Foot of the Rocks. April 11, 2011.
Infinity
A detail of colonial mile marker 8. Eight miles from Boston by road and about seven and a half as the crow flies. August 30, 2011.
Gold-Topped
The spire of the Pleasant Street Congregational Church—now The Boston Church of Christ. November 5, 2010.
Memorial Island
The memorial to Lt. John P. Connors on an island between Warren Street and Broadway. September 19, 2011.
National Grid
An electric company truck parked on Eastern Avenue in front of the imposing Park Avenue water tower.
November 26, 2015. SC
Grand Marquis
A view of Arlington high School from Rockmont Road.
November 15, 2013.
Atop the Hill
The classical Greek inspired water tower holding 1,995,000 gallons of water 382 feet above sea level.
August 08, 2014
Arlington Central
The Central Fire Station in the morning sun.
March 21, 2014.
All Red
The lights at the main crossroads show all red as snow falls on Arlington Center.
March 01, 2015.
Renovations Continue
Fences surround the Central Fire Station as renovation and restoration continues.
November 10, 2014.
Firehouse Renovations
Work continues on the Central Fire Station in Arlington Center.
October 10, 2014.
Plaque Uncovered
With the coming of fall, Robinson Rock on Gray Street becomes more visible to the passerby.
September 26, 2014.
E’er Watching Over
The eagle atop the Civil War memorial constantly keeping a watch over Arlington Center.
June 27, 2014.
Uncle Sam Plaza at Night
The nine month old historical information sign marking Uncle Sam Plaza stands tall in Arlington Center.
June 1, 2014.
Memorial Day
The flag of the United States of America flying at half staff at Town Hall.
September 12, 2013.Memorial D
Historical Marker
A stone tablet visible to passing motorists, perhaps retreating from Lexington themselves, summarizes the events that transpired during the opening moments of the revolutionary war at Jason Russell’s house.
May 28, 2014.
On Yonder Hill
The Park Avenue water tower visible over Belmont High School.
March 8, 2014.
Birds and the Clock Tower
Birds perch near the Unitarian Universalist clock tower, golden in the glow of the setting sun.
February 22, 2014.
Freezing Rain
The Turkey Hill water tower seen through the rain from McClennen Park.
December 23, 2013.
Turkey Hill Yonder
A man crosses Schouler Court while the green Turkey Hill water tower can be seen in the distance.
November 15, 2013.
Stone Eagle
The finial atop the Civil War monument in Arlington Center.
November 15, 2013.
Chisel Tip
The angled spire of the First Parish Unitarian
Universalist bell tower.
November 15, 2013.
Blue Moon
A blue moon rises over Arlington Town Hall.
August 20, 2013.
About Time
The clock tower of Arlington High School, ready and waiting for a new coat of paint and a working timepiece.
July 19, 2013.
Blocking the Sun
The clock tower of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington Center blocking the sun on a hot summer day.
July 5, 2013.
A Change of Face
Arlington Town Hall, sporting new clock faces, on the first day of summer 2013.
June 21, 2013.
Ribbon
Route 2 winds it way along the border of Arlington.
April 16, 2012.
The Avenue
Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington Center.
November 23, 2011.
From the Turnpike
The Park Avenue water tower as seen from the Concord Turnpike.
February 15, 2013.
Looming
The Park Circle water tower looms over Eastern Avenue.
September 11, 2012.
Still Shoveling
Residents on Mountain Avenue were still digging out from Nemo as the sun set.
February 9, 2013.
Moon Over Turkey HIll
The moon rises over Turkey Hill.
December 28, 2012.
Winslow Sunset
The sun sets behind Winslow Towers in Arlington Center. September 12, 2012.
In the Park
A man reads on a bench in the Robbins Memorial Garden near the statue of the Menotomy Indian Hunter by Cyrus E. Dallin. April 16, 2012.
The Tower
The upper level colonnade of the Park Avenue water tower with the night sky as its backdrop. June 30, 2012.
Memorial Day
The memorial in Arlington Center to all those Arlingtonians who served in the armed forces. March 13, 2012.
The Eagle
The bald eagle forever perched atop the Arlington War Memorial in Arlington Center. March 13, 2012.
The Spirit of America
“Allegory of Massachusetts” by Cyrus E. Dallin in silhouette atop the Robbins Memorial Flagstaff at Town Hall. April 4, 2012.
Donnelly Square
The sign marking Francis M. Donnelly Memorial Square in the small plaza at Summer Street and Edmund Road. March 12, 2012.
Reflection Circle
Dedicated in May 2000, the Reflection Circle is a small area facing the Arlington War Memorial where visitors can sit for a moment and think about war, peace, and loved ones lost. March 13, 2012.
XXX Marks the Spot
A view from underneath the clock tower of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington Center. April 4, 2012.
Quoth the Ravens
A raven takes flight from the tower of Arlington High School as another scans the horizon from the top of the weathervane. February 9, 2012.
Clay Flower
A clay flower left at the base of the Arlington armed forces memorial in Arlington Center. March 13, 2012.
McGurl Square
A plaque at the intersection of Brattle and Summer Streets remembers Lt. Eugene F. McGurl, a navigator in the famous "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" Doolittle bombing raids. Lt. McGurl was killed in action when his bomber crashed in the Himalayas on February 8, 1942 after a successful raid in Burma. His name can be found in the Manilla American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines on the Tablets of the Missing. February 1, 2012.
“Support Any Friend”
A quote from President John F. Kennedy on the Arlington War Memorial in Arlington Center. November 26, 2011.
Pearl Harbor Day
The flag at Arlington Town Hall flying at half-staff on December 7, 2010.
Cannonball!
Cannon shells piled near the war memorials in Arlington center. November 26, 2011.
Say Uncle
Samuel Wilson stands tall out in the cold wind of November 23, 2011.
On This Site…
One of two plaques affixed next to the door of the Park Avenue water tower. September 19, 2011.
High Rock at Night
High Rock Church under the starry sky of Town Night. September 16, 2011.
ARLINGTON
A sign letting those coming from Medford know that they aren't in Medford anymore. August 1, 2011.
8 Mile
The stone marking eight miles from Boston on the old colonial road on the night of August 30, 2011.
Ottoson
In the foreground, the roof of the Veterans' Memorial Skating Rink, and in the background, the brick façade of the Ottoson Middle School. April 11, 2011.
Robinson Rock
A plaque (hidden behind the plants at the lower left) marks this as rock at the confluence of Gray Street and Endicott Road as "Robinson Rock" in honor of "Thomas J. Robinson 1866-1923." May 29, 2011.
On the Fence
A car passes in front of a signpost that distinguishes Belmont from Arlington near Route 2. August 1, 2011.
Bunker Hill Monument
The Bunker Hill monument, perfectly framed by the trees, taken looking east-southeast on Gray Street near its intersection with Bartlett Avenue. This view, easily seen while driving at night, is reminiscent of the seal of Arlington. July 10, 2011.
A detail of the seal of Arlington can be seen here.
Our National Symbol
The inscription on the plinth of the Samuel Wilson statue in Arlington Center. July 3, 2010.
The Foot of the Rocks
Three stones at Massachusetts Avenue and Lowell Street mark the area once known as "The Foot of the Rocks," where Minutemen from Menotomy and surrounding towns engaged British troops on April 19, 1775. April 11, 2011.
Once Around
The rotary at Mystic Valley Parkway and Medford Street was featured in the 1991 movie "Once Around" starring Holly Hunter and Richard Dreyfuss. Overhead shots of cars circling the rotary are used in the opening and closing shots of the movie as well as other important times throughout the story.
Brackett Clock Tower
The clock tower at the new Brackett School which was named after former Massachusetts Governor (1890-1891), and Arlington resident, John Quincy Adams Brackett. April 22, 2011.
Bike Path
A biker on the Minuteman Bikeway--"America's Revolutionary Rail-Trail"--as it winds away from Mill Street on August 9, 2010.
Highrock
The blue and white steeple of the Highrock Church (formerly a Greek Orthodox church,) against the blue and white sky of a sunny August 9, 2010.
James T. O’Donnell Bridge
One might not even notice it, but when crossing the Arlington/Cambridge line at Massachusetts Avenue, one is crossing the James T. O'Donnell Bridge. January 5, 2011.
PSCC
An up close view showing the façade of the Pleasant Street Congregational Church which held its final service on Sunday, January 30, 2011. November 5, 2010.
Spire
The spire of St. Agnes Catholic Church and an eastern star on October 13, 2010.
Saint Athanasius the Great
After it was closed by the Archdiocese of Boston, the Church of St. James the Apostle was sold to the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Athanasius the Great, who's parish was looking for a larger space. They held their first service in their new location on December 3, 2005. August 31, 2010.
Arlington Automatic Transmission Co.
The dilapidated sign for the Arlington Automatic Transmission Company on Broadway, January 6, 2011.
“He was considered one of the finest men his town had ever produced.”
Lt. John Connors, a Navy SEAL, died on December 20, 1989 during Operation Nifty Package, a mission to disable movement of, then apprehend, Manuel Noriega. Lt. Connor’s platoon succeeded in destroying Noriega’s plane, which facilitated Noriega’s capture on January 3, 1990.
In the October 1990 issue of Reader’s Digest, Malcolm McConnell wrote about Lt. Connor’s heroism in an article titled “Measure of Man.” I hope that you may take the time to read it.
The monument to Lt. John P. Connors at the confluence of Broadway and Warren Street. January 6, 2011.
Arlington Winter
A view of Arlington in the winter from the Alewife Parking Garage on February 2, 2010.
To the top right, one can see the rubble of the Symmes site. At the top middle, the building just barely peeking above the tree line, with the three white dots on top is the Stratton School. In the center, the gabled roof of Arlington Senior Center and the white steeple of the Park Avenue Congregational Church can be seen. At the middle right, three of the four white chimneys and cupola of the Whittemore-Robbins House is visible. And to the left of that, there is the blue-domed steeple of the Highrock Church.
Report Any Unusual Activity
One sign covering another on the fence surrounding the Turkey Hill water tower on June 7, 2010.
Half-Mast
The flag flying at half mast in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day at Town Hall. December 7, 2010.
Winter Lights at the Old Burying Ground
The lights of the Whittemore-Robbins House reaching out to the Old Burying Ground on January 13, 2006.
Arlington Veterans Memorial
The Central Fire Station watches over the Arlington Veterans Memorial on August 19, 2006.
Robbins Memorial Flagstaff 3
A Pilgrim Mother, one of the four figures by Cyrus E. Dallin at the base of the Robbins Memorial Flagstaff. August 9, 2010.
The top of the flagstaff can be seen in an earlier post.
Robbins Memorial Flagstaff 2
Squaw Sachem, on of the four figures by Cyrus E. Dallin at the base of the Robbins Memorial Flagstaff. August 9, 2010.
The top of the flagstaff can be seen in an earlier post.
Robbins Memorial Flagstaff 1
Pictured are a Minuteman and a Puritan Devine, two of the four figures sitting at the base of the Robbins Memorial Flagstaff sculpted by Cyrus E. Dallin. August 9, 2010.
The top of the flagstaff can be seen in an earlier post.
Entryways 11
The Pleasant Street Congregational Church on November 5, 2010.
“Entryways” is a series documenting some of the doors, gates, openings, portals, entrances and exits of Arlington.
Entryways 5
One of the exit/entrances of the octagonal Central Fire Station. July 22, 2010.
“Entryways” is a series documenting some of the doors, gates, openings, portals, entrances and exits of Arlington.
Manassas to Appomattox
A detail of the Civil War Memorial in Arlington Center. September 5, 2010.
Arlington Autumn
The Pleasant Street Congregational Church pokes out from the brilliant orange leaves of Autumn in this view of Arlington from the top of the Alewife Parking Garage. October 21, 2010.
Mount Gilboa
The property nestled atop Mount Gilboa, August 31, 2010.
Arlington High School
The illuminated clock tower of Arlington High School on the night of September 5, 2010.
Town Day 2010, part two
One of the Menotomy Minutemen demonstrates the process of loading and firing a musket on the front lawn of the Jason Russell House, September 25, 2010.
Town Day 2010, part one
A woman balances one more piece of trash on top of the garbage cans in front of the statue of Samuel Wilson during Arlington's Town Day festivities, September 25, 2010.
Town Hall, Town Night
Fireworks explode behind Town Hall on Town Night, September 24, 2010.
Clock Tower
The clock tower of the Unitarian Universalist Church (formerly the First Parish Congregational), which has been rebuilt at least twice--once after a tornado knocked it over in 1871 and once after a fire destroyed the whole church in 1975. September 5, 2010.
WPA Walking Tour – Water Standpipe
To count down the days to the end of summer, I will be taking you on a virtual walking tour of Arlington–the same one outlined in 1937’s The WPA Guide to Massachusetts. Each entry will include an excerpt from the book about each site visited. Hopefully this will give us a little insight as to how things have changed in the past 73 years. This post brings us not only to the last stop on the tour, but the last day of summer 2010.
“The Water Standpipe (open to visitors each second Sun.) rises 50 feet above the loftiest point on Arlington Heights, emphasizing
the great difference between the lowest and highest altitude of this town. From a balcony near the top,
Boston and the harbor are visible to the east; to the west Mt. Monadnock and Mt. Wachusett are dim blue shapes on the horizon.”
The Park Avenue water tower on July 22, 2010.
WPA Walking Tour – Jason Russell House
To count down the days to the end of summer, I will be taking you on a virtual walking tour of Arlington–the same one outlined in 1937’s The WPA Guide to Massachusetts. Each entry will include an excerpt from the book about each site visited. Hopefully this will give us a little insight as to how things have changed in the past 73 years. Lucky number thirteen is the Jason Russell House.
“The Jason Russell House (open weekdays except Mon. 2-5, Apr.-Oct.),
7 Jason St., a wooden two-story dwelling with pitched roof and central chimney was built in 1680…
The house was occupied by descendants of the Russell family until 1890. It is now the
headquarters of the Arlington HIstorical Society.”
A typical view of the Jason Russell House on July 12, 2010.
WPA Walking Tour – Town Hall
To count down the days to the end of summer, I will be taking you on a virtual walking tour of Arlington–the same one outlined in 1937’s The WPA Guide to Massachusetts. Each entry will include an excerpt from the book about each site visited. Hopefully this will give us a little insight as to how things have changed in the past 73 years. Town Hall at number twelve.
“The Town Hall designed by R. Clipston Sturgis and built about 1914,
is a contemporary adaptation of Colonial design. Two stories in height, the ‘great hall’
is surrounded on three sides by administrative offices.”
The cupola of Arlington's Town Hall atop which sits a pineapple, a traditional symbol of welcome in New England. August 9, 2010.
WPA Walking Tour – The Indian Hunter
To count down the days to the end of summer, I will be taking you on a virtual walking tour of Arlington–the same one outlined in 1937’s The WPA Guide to Massachusetts. Each entry will include an excerpt from the book about each site visited. Hopefully this will give us a little insight as to how things have changed in the past 73 years. Though not a numbered stop on the tour in the book, the Indian Hunter is mentioned briefly on its own line.
“The Indian Hunter, by Cyrus E. Dallin (see below), stands in the park between the library and the Town Hall.”
The Menotomy Indian Hunter has long been a symbol of the town of Arlington. August 9, 2010.
WPA Walking Tour – Arlington Public Library
To count down the days to the end of summer, I will be taking you on a virtual walking tour of Arlington–the same one outlined in 1937’s The WPA Guide to Massachusetts. Each entry will include an excerpt from the book about each site visited. Hopefully this will give us a little insight as to how things have changed in the past 73 years.
“The Arlington Public Library (open weekdays 10-9), known as the Robbins Memorial Library,
erected in 1892 from the designs of Gay & Proctor, is constructed of Ohio limestone in Italian Renaissance style…
The entrance is similar in style to the main door of the Cancellaria [sic] Palace in Rome.”
Though the book cites the building material as Ohio limestone and the designers as Gay & Proctor, the Robbins Library website states that the building was designed by Cabot, Everett and Mead and was built from Indiana sandstone.
The northeast side of the Robbins Library on the night of September 5, 2010.
WPA Walking Tour – Site of Black Horse Tavern
To count down the days to the end of summer, I will be taking you on a virtual walking tour of Arlington–the same one outlined in 1937’s The WPA Guide to Massachusetts. Each entry will include an excerpt from the book about each site visited. Hopefully this will give us a little insight as to how things have changed in the past 73 years. The fourth stop is the site of the Black Horse Tavern.
“Here the Committee of Safety and Supplies of the Provincial Congress convened
on April 18, 1775. The following day a British searching party surprised Vice-President Gerry and
Colonels Leo and Orne, who escaped by making a hasty exit and concealing themselves in a near-by field.”
Now a BP filling station, a tablet marks the former site of the Black Horse Tavern. September 6, 2010.
Colonial Mile Marker 8
The stone marking eight miles from Boston, past which Paul Revere rode on April 18, 1775. August 31, 2010.
In Honor Of…
The Alan Hovhaness Memorial in Whittemore Park on July 22, 2010.
Pictures of Arlington 
