Historic Sites Tour

Groton has many historic sites and monuments commemorating people, events, and places. Click on the links to view each site and map its location and start your tour around Groton!

The Groton Historical Tour was created by Brent Emerle in 2016 as his Eagle Scout Service Project.

  
1976 Time Capsule
1976 TIME CAPSULE
Hollis St and Martins Pond Rd

To be opened in 2076
( MAP IT )
Bancroft's Castle
BANCROFT'S CASTLE
Built by General William Bancroft in 1906, the castle was intended as a gift for his wife. Much of the structure was destroyed in a fire during a 4th of July celebration in 1932. In 2000, the now town-owned remains were opened to the public.
( MAP IT )
Chamberlain Mill Memorial Rock
LONGLEY MEMORIAL
Longley Rd

Near the site of the 1694 massacre of the Longley family by Indians
( MAP IT )

Colonel William Prescott Monument
COLONEL WILLIAM PRESCOTT'S HOUSE
STONE MONUMENT
Main St and Old Ayer Road

Marks the location of Colonel Prescott’s house and tells of his role in the Battle of Bunker Hill
( MAP IT )
Firemen's Memorial
FIREMEN'S MEMORIAL
Main St and Pleasant St
Dedicated to the Groton Firemen for their service to the town. Presented by Joseph S. Bassett III as his Eagle Scout Service Project, May 24, 1982.
( MAP IT )
Broadmeadow Gate Posts
GATE POSTS
Broadmeadow Rd
Given to the town of Groton by Amory Lawrence in 1900. Posts had been a part of the Harvard College fence.
( MAP IT )
Groton Cemetery
GROTON CEMETERY
242 Hollis St
Second burial ground used from 1847.
( MAP IT )
Groton History Center
GROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
172 Main St
Residing at the Boutwell House, the Groton Historical Society was incorporated in 1894. It seeks to preserve and display the history of the town.
( MAP IT )
Groton School
THE GROTON SCHOOL
282 Farmers Row
Private boarding school founded in 1884. Alumni include Dean Acheson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Sam Waterson and many more. www.groton.org/page
( MAP IT )
Groton Sign
GROTON SIGN (1930)
Main St
Tells about the founding of the town of Groton. Presented by the Tercentenary Commission in 1930.
( MAP IT )
First Parish Meeting House Plaque
FIRST PARISH CHURCH
Powderhouse Rd
Built in 1755, it originally served as the town’s third meeting house. In 1839 it was remodeled and rotated. It now serves as a Unitarian church.
( MAP IT )
Lawrence Academy
LAWRENCE ACADEMY
26 Powderhouse Rd
Private school founded in 1792. Alumni include Tim Armstrong, Karyn Bryant, William B. Washburn and many more. www.lacademy.edu
( MAP IT )
Lawrence Fountain
LAWRENCE FOUNTAIN
Main St and Pleasant St
Present since at least 1882
( MAP IT )
Legion Memorial Hall
LEGION COMMON
75 Hollis St
Home to the town of Groton Second Meeting House, legion hall, and the Old Burying Ground.
( MAP IT )
Memorial Square
MEMORIAL SQUARE
Hollis St and Martins Pond Rd
In memory of the men and women who served their country in the time of war. Moved from Bandstand Common in 1954.
( MAP IT )
Nashua River Watershed Association
NASHUA RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
592 Main St
Oversees the condition of the Nashua River. In response to the pollution that resulted in the river appearing in various colors, Marion Stoddart led an effort to restore the river during the 1960’s. Due to her actions, the river is now clear and clean.
( MAP IT )
Old Groton Inn
THE OLD GROTON INN
128 Main St
Opened in 1678, the inn once served as a meeting place of St Paul’s Masonic Lodge, of which Paul Revere was the Grand Master. The inn was destroyed by a fire in August 2011.
( MAP IT )
Sargisson Beach
SARGISSON BEACH
171 Whiley Rd
Beach overlooking Lost Lake. Opened with lifeguards in 2015
( MAP IT )