Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
“Paul Revere’s Ride” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere received an urgent summons from Dr. Joseph Warren. Warren had received intelligence that British troops were planning to march to Lexington. Their mission was to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock before continuing on to Concord to destroy colonist weapon stores. Warren tasked Revere with warning the patriot duo of their peril. Revere was to cross the river into Charlestown, the quickest route to Lexington. Warren had already dispatched Mr. William Dawes via Boston Neck, the longer route. That’s how the true story of Paul Revere’s Ride started.
In 1860, American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalized Paul Revere with his poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.” In the 85 years between the ride and the poem, Revere’s role in the American Revolution rested in relative obscurity. Although the poem takes some artistic liberty, it inspired many in a country destined for civil war and made Revere a legend. Unfortunately for Dawes (and thanks to Longfellow), his ride remains mostly unheralded.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s (and William Dawes’) Ride. There are some great events planned to celebrate the occasion. The site revolution250.org provides a whole list. A couple of my favorites are the Public View of the Crossing of Paul Revere across the Charles River and the Reenactment of Paul Revere’s Ride in Lexington.
Much to my chagrin, I won’t be on hand to witness the festivities. I did have the pleasure of visiting both Boston and Lexington last summer though. Upon thinking about my visit and wishing I could see this year’s events, an idea popped into my head. Though finding a horse might be difficult, you can totally recreate Paul Revere’s Ride on a bike!
Recreating the Ride, Bicycle Style
Courtesy of Google Maps (the link provides the actual route), I was able to plan out a bike route that roughly follows the same path of Paul Revere on that fateful night. The route comes out to 18.4 miles and takes 1 hour and 46 minutes. For a fun visual of where we are traveling, check out the Paul Revere House’s Midnight Ride Interactive Map. I used this map to come up with waypoints for the route!
Now channel your inner Paul Revere, don your tricorne hat (bike helmet), place your feet in the stirrups (bike pedals), and get ready to let the countryside (suburbia) know the Regulars (Revere likely said this instead of British) are coming!
The Story Begins: Paul Revere House
We start our journey in the North End of Boston. After conferring with Dr. Warren, Revere returned home to fetch his boots and overcoat. The Paul Revere House, located at 19 N Square, still stands today and contains a museum open daily.
One if by Land, Two if by Sea: oLD nORTH cHURCH
.3 miles, 2 minutes
Our first stop is Old North Church located at 193 Salem St. On his way home, Revere contacted a “friend” to signal the warning of two lanterns in the steeple of what was then called Christ Church to alert Charlestown the British troops were taking the sea route (one if by land, two if by sea). Make sure to check out the equestrian statue of Paul Revere while you are there!
Crossing the River: Paul Revere Midnight Ride Landing Site
.9 miles, 5 minutes
While two “friends” rowed Paul Revere across the Charles River, we are utilizing the Washington Street Bridge to get to Charlestown. Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride Landing Site, located at 115 Constitution Rd, is marked by a National Park Services interpretive sign. From here, Revere could see the two lanterns alight in the Old North Church steeple.
This also happens to be the location of the beautiful USS Constitution, America’s Ship of State. I am guessing that is no coincidence! Once in Charlestown, Revere received a horse from fellow Son of Liberty, Deacon John Larkin. From here, he began his ride to Lexington.
The Ride begins: Isaac Hall House
5.9 miles, 34 mins
Once on horseback, Revere made his way northwest towards Lexington. Upon turning due west, he encountered two British officers under a tree nearly opposite where Mark was hung in chains (Mark was an enslaved person who in 1755 was charged with poisoning his owner, hanged, then his body gruesomely suspended in chains on a public road for all to see). Revere then turned back east and made his way to the Medford Road.
Since it’s unclear where exactly this encounter took place, we are going to proceed to the next known location, which was the Isaac Hall House located at 43 High St in Medford. The house is named after Minutemen Captain Isaac Hall, who Revere waked to warn him of what’s coming. The house still stands and is on the US National Register of Historic Places. However, it appears it is not currently open to the public.
sounding the Alarm: Jason Russell House
2.9 miles, 20 minutes
Revere then headed west and passed the Jason Russell House and likely alerted its inhabitants. This site later became the bloodiest engagement of the British retreat from Concord. The house is now the home of a museum and is located at 7 Jason St in Arlington.
Arriving in Lexington: Hancock-Clarke House
5 miles, 29 minutes
Our next stop is the Hancock-Clarke House. This is where Dr. Warren said Revere would find John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Revere arrived just after midnight and encountered a problem with a sentry outside. The sentry complained Revere was making too much noise. Revere retorted “Noise! You’ll have noise enough before long! The regulars are coming out!” Hancock recognized Revere and he was therefore allowed to enter. About 30 minutes later, William Dawes arrived. It is later revealed the British never had arresting Adams and Hancock as an objective.
Much of this part of the journey takes place on the scenic Minuteman Bikeway, an old railway retrofitted into a bike path. Also, the house is right near the Lexington Battle Green where the Battle of Lexington took place.
The Ride Ends: Paul Revere Capture Site
4 miles, 21 minutes
For the last leg, we get to travel on the Battle Road Trail. After refreshing themselves, Revere and Dawes rode out together to ensure the weapon stores were safe in Concord. Shortly after departing, they were joined by a third man, Dr. Samuel Prescott, who Revere referred to as a “High Son of Liberty.” The three didn’t get far before they encountered a British patrol. While Dawes and Prescott eluded capture, Revere wasn’t so lucky. He was detained and threatened before being released horseless. Revere’s ride had ended as has ours.
A Steel Horse Alternative
Biking isn’t the only way to recreate Paul Revere’s Ride, but it is the most fun. If that isn’t an option, don’t worry! You can also experience the ride in the comfort of a car. The Paul Revere House has the Recreate the Ride Driving Instructions you can follow in your four-wheel steed. Or find a happy medium on an e-bike or electric scooter.
Whatever your mode of transportation may be, it of course won’t be exactly the same as when Paul Revere’s ride. But that is what imaginations are for! Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of seeing everyone’s reaction when you shout, “the Regulars are coming!”
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