In 1927, during the 150th anniversary celebration of the American Revolution, 56 granite markers were set out in New York and Massachusetts to mark the trail over which wagon trains of the Continental Army carried cannons that had been captured at Fort Ticonderoga.
Those cannons ultimately were emplaced on Dorchester Heights on the night of March 4, 1775, bringing British positions in Boston within artillery range and triggering their decision to evacuate the city.
The event is celebrated as Evacuation Day on March 17. But one important site along the trail was not marked in 1927.
That historical oversight will be remedied Saturday, when ground will be broken at Roxbury Street and Malcolm X Boulevard for the 57th marker.
The site, explained Michael P. Bare, chairman of the Evacuation Day Heritage Committee, is important because it lies at the foot of a hill below the Dillaway-Thomas House.
That was the home and headquarters of General John Thomas, who commanded that the cannons be hauled up to Dorchester Heights, completing the trail begun at Ticonderoga by General Henry Knox.
The Roxbury groundbreaking will take place at 3 p.m., with ceremonies at Dorchester Heights at 4 p.m. For more information, visit evacuationday.com.
MICHAEL KENNEY
