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 Hollis St and Martins Pond Rd To be opened in 2076 ( MAP IT )	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 )
LONGLEY MEMORIAL Longley Rd Near the site of the 1694 massacre of the Longley family by Indians ( MAP IT )	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 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 )	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 242 Hollis St Second burial ground used from 1847. ( MAP IT )	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 )
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 (1930) Main St Tells about the founding of the town of Groton. Presented by the Tercentenary Commission in 1930. ( MAP IT )
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 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 Main St and Pleasant St Present since at least 1882 ( MAP IT )	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 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 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 )
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 171 Whiley Rd Beach overlooking Lost Lake. Opened with lifeguards in 2015 ( MAP IT )