Cole's Hill

Cole's Hill
NHL plaque on Cole's Hill with Plymouth Bay in background, 2008
Location: Carver Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Built: 1620
Governing body: Private
NRHP Reference#: 66000142
Significant dates
Added to NRHP: October 15, 1966[1]
Designated NHL: October 9, 1960[2]

Cole's Hill is a National Historic Landmark containing the first cemetery used by the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. The hill is located on Carver Street near the foot of Leyden Street and across the street from Plymouth Rock.

Contents

History

The Pilgrims built their first houses on Leyden Street rising from the side of Cole's Hill to Burial Hill, and the hill was used in 1620-1621 as a burial ground during their first winter in New England. The Pilgrims built their original fort on nearby Burial Hill where several Pilgrims were later buried. The nearby fort housed the original First Parish Church in Plymouth and the Plymouth General Court. Cole's Hill was named after either the tavern owner James Cole who arrived in Plymouth in 1633 or John Cole who purchased the hill around 1697.[3]

Cole's Hill was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Sitting atop the hill is a large statue of Massasoit and a monument containing the remains of Pilgrims who succumbed during the first winter in 1620-21.[2][4]

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
  2. ^ a b "Cole's Hill". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=69&ResourceType=Site. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  3. ^ Pilgrim Hall Website information on James Cole (accessed October 2009)
  4. ^ Polly M. Rettig and Charles E. Shedd (December 10, 1974) National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Cole's Hill, National Park Service and Accompanying three photos, from 1974

Images