Discover Hull's rich history through interpretive signboards located throughout the town. These historic markers tell the stories of Hull's past—from its military fortifications and lifesaving heroes to its golden age as a seaside resort. Follow this self-guided tour to explore significant landmarks and learn about the people and events that shaped this unique coastal community.
The Hull Art Walk connects George Washington Blvd. with Nantasket Ave., featuring signboards that celebrate Hull's vibrant art community and the legacy of local artists who transformed the town's creative landscape.
Short but sweet, In 1990 the artists seized the old laundry/garage from the MDC (renamed the DCR in 2003), directly across the street from the Mary Jeanette Murray Bathhouse. It was called "Studio at the Beach" and served as the artists' retail arm. READ MORE at the site.
Possibly Lenore Schneider's most enduring achievement and her legacy will be her powerful role as a force in Hull’s art world as one of The Hull Artists Studio Connection's first presidents. READ MORE at the site.
Paragon Park, a miniature World's Fair, opened amid great fanfare in 1905, drawing visitors from Boston and surrounding communities by railroad, steamboat, and trolley car. READ MORE at the site.
Discover the rich history of Nantasket Beach's golden age through signboards at the Paragon Carousel. Learn about the famous Atlantic House hotel, trolley lines, and the beloved amusement park that drew visitors from across New England.
The Dentzel Carousel was created by some of the most talented artisans of the late 19th century, including Salvatore Cernigliaro and Gustav Dentzel of the G.A. Dentzel Company, the oldest carousel manufacturer in the United States.The carousel features 52 hand-carved animals. READ more at the site.
Steamboats, Trolleys, and Trains the Way to Nantasket Begins in 1818 Horse Trolley at Old Hutch's Corner - Circa 1894. The Massachusetts Bay State Lines continued weekend service from Boston to Nantasket's Steamboat Wharf until the 1980's. READ MORE at the site.
The Nantasket Beach Playground. The Golden Age: 1800 - 1920. The famous Atlantic House, built in 1877, was the largest hotel in the United States. The Nantasket Hotel was directly across the street. Almost 800 guest rooms were available. READ MORE at the site
Paragon Park 1905 - 1985.In 1905, Paragon Park opened to great fanfare. Inspired by the Columbian Exposition in Chicago and Dreamland at Coney Island, developer George A. Dodge invested $500,000 to create a World’s Fair featuring a lagoon with Italian gondolas, a Japanese Tea Garden, the Egyptian “Streets of Cairo” and other cultural exhibits. READ MORE at the site.
Explore Hull's military heritage at Fort Revere on Telegraph Hill. These signboards chronicle the fort's role from the Revolutionary War through the 20th century, offering stunning views of Boston Harbor and the Brewster Islands.
The 1903 Officers' Quarters at Ft. Revere is an intact example of standardized housing built for military use in a military community. Ft. Revere served as a military base from the Revolutionary period until the mid-20th Century. READ MORE at the site
The summit of Telegraph Hill, the site of Fort Revere, was originally used as a signal station for incoming ships. In 1777 the early fort had 15 guns and a military hospital. READ MORE at the site
The Greek meaning for 'telegraph' was to 'write far'. Over the years Telegraph Hill was the site and home to many forms of military types of fortifications and styles of armaments. READ MORE at the site.
The Brewster Islands. As you look out into Boston Harbor, about a mile and a half directly to the front, you will see the four Brewster Islands. All were named September 1621 by the members of a Pilgrim expedition, led by Miles Standish, which had sailed up from Plymouth in a shallop to explore the area. READ MORE at the site.
July 14th Dedicated by the Republic of France and the People of Hull in Celebration of the United States of America Bicentennial. In Grateful Tribute to the French Sailors and Marines Who Served and Died at Fort Independence During the American Revolution.
1776: Telegraph Hill was probably first fortified by Patriot forces, and a four-gun segment of an earthwork battery fired on the blockading British fleet. 1778: During the winter months 22 pieces were mounted, ranging from 42-pdr to 3-pdr guns. READ MORE at the site
The Tower on Telegraph Hill. Erected by the Hennebique Construction Company in 1903 on orders from the US Government. The Tower is 120 feet high by 25 feet diameter. READ MORE at the site.
The signboards at Hull Lifesaving Museum tell the heroic stories of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the brave men who risked their lives to save shipwreck victims along Hull's treacherous coastline.
Little Brewster Island is home to Boston Light, the oldest Coast Guard Light Station in the country. In 1716, Boston Light was established at the entrance to Boston Harbor, the first major aid to navigation in colonial America, providing safe passage into Boston. READ MORE at the site.
Boston Harbor Islands. Stony Beach offers a spectacular view of Boston’s Harbor Islands.To the northeast lie the Brewsters: Great Brewster, Middle Brewster, Little Brewster, and Outer Brewster.To the northwest lie Lovells, Gallops, and Georges islands. READ MORE at teh site.
Point Allerton U.S. Lifesaving Station. Point Allerton U.S. Lifesaving Station was constructed in 1889 to provide aid to shipwrecked mariners at the mouth of Boston Harbor. Designed by Lifesaving Service architect Albert B. Bibb. Captain Joshua James 1826-1902 Captain Joshua James served as Keeper of Point Allerton Station from 1890-1902. READ MORE at the site.
Nantasket Roads.Throughout the great age of sail, Nantasket Roads was the main shipping channel into Boston's inner harbor, the only natural channel deep enough to accommodate large vessels, such as the coasting schooners that entered the harbor daily, carrying lumber, coal, plaster and other industrial goods. READ MORE at the site.
Joshua James Park honors Hull's most famous lifesaver. The signboard here tells the remarkable story of Captain Joshua James, who saved over 600 lives during his career.
Joshua James Park in Hull, MA.
Mariners Park commemorates Hull's deep connection to the sea. The signboard celebrates the generations of fishermen, sailors, and mariners who called Hull home.
Mariners Park in Hull, MA.
Learn about Hull's literary and civic history through the signboard at the Hull Public Library, a cornerstone of community education and culture.
Hull Indian Region Called Natascot. A Fishing Station as Early as 1622 Settled by the Puritans 1630. Name Changed to Hull 1644.
The signboards along Rockland House Road reveal stories of Hull's grand hotels and the bustling resort era that transformed this seaside town into a popular destination.
Rockland House Road in Hull, MA.
Rockland House Road in Hull, MA.
Rockland House 3 in Hull, MA.
At Sunset Point, discover the natural beauty and maritime history that make this location one of Hull's most scenic spots.
View of Hull Bay, Grape Island, Wessagusset, Bumpin Island, Squantum, Peddocks Island, Thompson Island, Boston, Hull Gut
Hull Gut, the narrow passage between Hull and Peddocks Island, has witnessed centuries of maritime traffic. These signboards explore its strategic and historical significance.
Peddocks Island and Fort Andrews. Throughout its history, Peddocks Island has been home to many inhabitants: Native Americans, early fishing villages, colonists, cottages, soldiers and prisoners of war. From the early 1900s to mid-20th century, several families lived on Peddocks Island. Fort Andrews was established in 1900 and was active in harbor defense from 1904 through the end of World War II. READ MORE at the site.
Pemberton Hotel, Nantasket Beach, Mass. Pemberton Point: a hub of Victorian-era activity. During the Victorian era, Windmill Point was a thriving tourist destination. Constructed near the site of an earlier windmill and salt works, the Hotel Pemberton was one of New England's most luxurious seaside hotels, with a heated salt water swimming pool, musical performances, and twice weekly fireworks displays. READ MORE at the site.
The Windmill Point Boathouse signboards tell the story of Hull's rowing and maritime traditions, and the community's enduring connection to the water.
1936 USCG Windmill Point Boathouse. As the most important lifesaving station guarding Boston Harbor, Point Allerton Station was an early beneficiary of new technologies. In 1914, the station received a 36' McLellan Type E wooden-hull motor lifeboat (MLB) named for Hull's legendary lifesaver Joshua James. READ MORE at the site.
Rowing to Rescue: A Legacy of Skill, Courage & Caring. 1785 Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts founded, first in America to provide aid to shipwrecked mariners. 1807 Humane Society establishes boathouse in Cohasset, MA, first in country for purposes of lifesaving. READ MORE at the site.
Early 20th century advances in Coast Guard motor lifeboats reflected both improved technology and the service's evolving mission. The final and most successful Lifesaving-motorized Coast Guard motor lifeboat was the 36' long Type TR-Self righting and Self- Bailing (TRS) model. READ MORE at the site.
Discover Hull's baseball heritage and the role America's pastime played in bringing the community together.
Historical signboard commemorating Hull's baseball heritage and local baseball activities. Hull hosted the first recorded night baseball game on September 2, 1880, using Carbon Arc Lamps for illumination. This groundbreaking event proved artificial lighting could extend gameplay, shaping the future of night games and transforming baseball into a more accessible and globally popular sport. READ MORE at the site.