You’re driving down the thin, wind-whipped strip of Nantasket Beach, passing the ice cream shops and the summer rentals, and you keep going. Most people stop at the carousel. But if you push all the way to the tip of the Pemberton Point peninsula, you hit a spot that feels like it’s barely holding onto the coast. That’s Fort Revere Park Hull MA. It isn't your typical manicured state park with paved paths and "keep off the grass" signs. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess—cracked concrete, fading graffiti, and overgrown weeds. But that’s exactly why people love it. It feels real. It feels like a secret, even though it’s been sitting there since the American Revolution.
The wind here doesn't just blow; it howls.
Standing on top of the old ramparts, you’re looking at one of the best views in Massachusetts. You’ve got the Boston skyline flickering in the distance, the Brewster Islands scattered like breadcrumbs across the water, and the vast, gray Atlantic stretching out toward Europe. It’s a place where history isn't tucked away behind velvet ropes. You’re literally walking on it.
The Weird, Layered History of Telegraph Hill
People call it Fort Revere, but the hill itself—Telegraph Hill—has been a strategic nightmare for enemies since the 1770s. During the Revolutionary War, it was home to Fort Independence (not to be confused with the one in South Boston). Imagine being a look-out back then. No radar. No radio. Just a pair of shaky brass telescopes and the constant fear of a British mast appearing on the horizon.
The site eventually became a key link in a signaling system. They used semaphores—basically giant mechanical arms—to send messages from Hull to the State House in Boston. It was the high-speed internet of 1800. If a merchant ship was spotted coming in, the news reached the city in minutes.
The concrete bunkers you see today? Those are much newer. Well, "newer" in a relative sense. Most of what’s standing dates back to the Endicott Period, around the late 1890s and early 1900s. The U.S. government realized their old masonry forts were basically useless against modern rifled cannons. They needed thick, reinforced concrete that could swallow a shell without shattering. That’s why the place feels like a brutalist playground.
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What You’ll Actually Find Inside the Bunkers
Walking into the batteries—specifically Battery Ripley and Battery Humphreys—is an experience. It’s dark. It’s damp. Even on a scorching July day, the air inside the concrete chambers feels like a refrigerator. You’ll want a flashlight, or at least a fully charged phone.
The shadows are long.
The walls are covered in layers of graffiti that go back decades. Some of it is junk, but some of it is genuinely impressive mural work. It’s a constant battle between the state trying to keep it "clean" and local artists reclaiming the space. Most visitors find the juxtaposition of 19th-century military engineering and 21st-century street art kind of beautiful.
Here is what is actually there:
- The Water Tower: You can’t miss it. It’s a massive brick structure that looks like a medieval keep. It was built in 1903 to provide water for the fort’s troops. It’s arguably the most photogenic part of the park.
- The Officer’s Quarters: There are some remaining residential structures near the park entrance. They give you a sense of how the "other half" lived while the enlisted guys were sweating in the bunkers.
- The Grassy Parade Ground: Perfect for a picnic, assuming the wind doesn't blow your sandwich into the bay. It’s a wide-open space that’s popular for kite flying.
The Ghosts and the French Connection
There’s a small, somewhat somber burial ground at the site. It’s the final resting place of French soldiers who fought alongside the Americans during the Revolution. They weren't killed in a glorious charge; most succumbed to illness while stationed in the harsh New England elements.
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It’s a reminder that Fort Revere Park Hull MA wasn't just a lookout point. It was a community. A cold, isolated, and often miserable community, but a community nonetheless. Every year, there’s a small ceremony to honor these soldiers. It’s one of the few times the park feels truly quiet and formal.
Why the "Crumbling" Part Matters
Let's be blunt: the park has seen better days. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages it, but funding for old coastal forts isn't always at the top of the priority list. You’ll see "Danger: Do Not Enter" signs on some of the stairwells. Some of the ironwork is rusted through.
Does that make it "unsafe"? Not if you use your head. But it’s not a sanitized Disney version of history. You have to watch your step. There are trip hazards everywhere. If you’re looking for a polished museum experience with docents in costumes, go to Fort Warren on Georges Island. If you want a place where you can feel the weight of the concrete and the salt in the air without a tour guide breathing down your neck, you come here.
Planning the Trip: Logistics and Local Tips
Getting to Hull is easy, but getting through it can be a pain. During the summer, Route 228 is a parking lot.
- Timing: Go on a weekday if you can. If you have to go on a weekend, get there before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM. The sunset from the top of the fort is legendary.
- Parking: There is a small lot right at the park. It’s free. If that’s full, you might have to hunt for street parking in the residential neighborhood nearby, but be careful—Hull police are notoriously efficient with parking tickets.
- Footwear: Wear sneakers. This is not the place for flip-flops. The concrete is uneven and there’s broken glass in some of the darker corners of the batteries.
- The Wind Factor: Even if it’s 80 degrees in Boston, it’ll feel like 65 at Fort Revere. Bring a hoodie.
While you’re in the area, you should check out the Hull Lifesaving Museum. It’s just down the road. They have a fantastic collection of old rescue boats and explain the "Graveyard of the Harbor"—the stretch of water right in front of the fort where hundreds of ships have wrecked over the centuries. It adds a lot of context to why this fort was so important.
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Is it Haunted?
Ask any local teenager and they’ll tell you "yes." There are endless stories of footsteps in empty tunnels and cold spots in the magazines. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the atmosphere is undeniable. There is a heavy, silent quality to the deep interior rooms that makes your skin crawl just a little bit. It’s a favorite spot for amateur paranormal investigators, especially around Halloween.
The Reality of Preservation
There is a constant tension between development and preservation in Hull. Because the land is so valuable, there are always whispers about what could be done with the site. For now, it remains a public park. The Fort Revere Memorial Association works hard to keep the history alive and advocate for repairs.
The reality is that salt air eats everything. Concrete spalls. Rebar swells and cracks the stones. Maintaining a coastal fort is like painting the Golden Gate Bridge—by the time you finish, it’s time to start over. Visiting the park is a way of supporting its continued existence. The more "foot traffic" (and the more people posting photos on social media), the harder it is for the state to ignore its maintenance needs.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your trip to Fort Revere Park Hull MA, don't just wander aimlessly. Start by climbing to the highest point of the grassy ramparts to orient yourself. Locate the Boston Light—the oldest lighthouse site in the country—out in the harbor. Then, head down into the batteries, but keep your back to the light so your eyes adjust.
- Download an offline map. Cell service can be spotty inside the thick concrete walls.
- Bring a real camera. Phones struggle with the high-contrast light of the tunnels.
- Pack out your trash. There aren't many bins, and the wind will blow your litter straight into the ocean.
- Check the tide. If it's low tide, you can walk down to the rocky shore below the fort and find some incredible sea glass and smoothed-out bricks from old ship ballast.
Fort Revere isn't a place that demands your respect with shiny plaques; it earns it by still standing after centuries of Nor'easters and neglect. It's a raw, honest piece of Massachusetts history that's free to explore and impossible to forget.