Town Beacon (second) is installed.
June 18, 1791
Architect: Bulfinch, Charles. It is located on the former site of the first town beacon near today’s 24 Beacon Street. The first monument to commemorate the American Revolution in the U.S., it is a 60-foot Doric column topped by an eagle and tablets. It is torn down on July 9, 1811 when the property is purchased by John Hancock, nephew of the governor, and Samuel Spear, who proceed to remove the top of Beacon Hill in order to sell the gravel for fill. The eagle and tablets from the beacon are subsequently installed in Doric Hall in the State House in 1861, then included as part of the replica (third), which is erected behind the State House in 1898.*