View from Parker Hill

February 2, 2008

Parker Hill Avenue, looking towards Fort Hill, Roxbury, Boston

This view was taken from one of the best kept secrets of Boston - Parker Hill Playground, at the summit of the Mission Hill district in Boston. The tower to the right, which marks the Fort Hill neighborhood, was built not long after Roxbury was annexed to the City of Boston in 1868. It was originally built as a water tower, disguised as a minaret of sorts. It featured a winding staircase that encased the water tank inside. It fell into disrepair in the 1960s, and was recently restored to its original appearance. Today, it stands as a monument to the Siege of Boston that took place at this location in the 1770s during the American Revolution.

People who climb Mission and Parker Hills will immediately be reminded of San Francisco, with the views of the downtown high rises with colorful triple-deckers and houses in the foreground. The streets in the area meander to cope with the steep topography, much of which features outcroppings of Boston's famed Roxbury Puddingstone. While the Mission Hill neighborhood still maintains a negative reputation (after all, it is also known as "Mission: Kill"), it's slowly being gentrified and is a prime spot for young people looking for a well-priced condo with great views in an area that bears promise for rapid redevelopment. Anyone old-timer walking through Boston's South End, after having seen it 25 years ago, can attest to the power of urban redevelopment in Boston.