Bob Doherty, The Somerville Times- Beacon Hill Roll Call Journalist Profile

Articles

The Somerville Times Historical Fact of the Week - June 18

1 week ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #331 – A Banner WeekendBy Bob (Monty) DohertySomerville is the first location in America to celebrate its flag before the constellation of stars on it began to grow. After the Battle of Bunker Hill, Colonial troops withdrew to fortify Prospect Hill. It was there, during the next year, that America’s union began to form. Prospect Hill became known as General Washington’s Citadel, his command post during the siege of Boston.
The Somerville Times Historical Fact of the Week - June 4

3 weeks ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #330 – Bunker HillBy Bob (Monty) DohertyIf you drive out of Boston over the Leonard P. Zakim (Bunker Hill) Bridge, the first exit brings you to Sullivan Square at the Charlestown/Somerville line. This area used to be known as Charlestown Neck. The site was an isthmus, or small thread of land, that connected Charlestown with what is today Somerville. These two towns, until 1842, were one. The Neck was normally a quiet spot, but not at this time.
The Somerville Times Historical Fact of the Week - May 21

1 month ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #329 – The MarinersBy Bob (Monty) DohertyAt the outbreak of the American Revolution, Lieutenant Colonel John Glover already had twenty-one years under his belt as the commander of Marblehead’s militia. Late in the afternoon of the battle of Lexington, his militia narrowly missed a chance to intercept the retreating British column. It was close.
The Somerville Times Historical Fact of the Week - May 7

1 month ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #328 – A Sporting ChanceBy Bob (Monty) DohertySomerville has always had a deep-seated history in sports, far deeper than most. Settled before Boston as part of Charlestown in 1628, the colony was subject to Puritan rule. By 1659, strict rules had outlawed card playing and dice. This was for fear of betting. Football, oddly enough, was allowed, unless played on forbidden streets or lanes.
The Somerville Times Historical Fact of the Week - April 23

2 months ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #327 – Patriots’ DayBy Bob (Monty) DohertyThis past week, historic-minded citizens celebrated Patriots Day at Foss Park. It was a beautiful day, and a larger than normal crowd attended. They came to observe the reenactment of Paul Revere’s historic ride. Period children’s games were played and samples of food from the era went fast.
The Somerville Times Historical Fact of the Week - April 9

2 months ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #326 – One If By Land, Two If By SeaBy Bob (Monty) DohertySomerville statesman Edward Everett first brought Paul Revere’s ride to light in his 1825 speech at Concord. Thirty five-years later, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow solidified Revere’s fame with his legendary 1860 poem, Paul Revere’s Ride. Longfellow wrote it with the hope of avoiding the bloodshed of a civil war. It inspired the whole nation but didn’t prevent hostilities.
The Somerville Times Historical Fact of the Week - March 26

Mar 26, 2025 | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #325 – The ReunionBy Bob (Monty) DohertyA reunion has been described as a gathering of friends, relatives, or associates on a special date or interval who honor the act of uniting again after a long separation. In our grand country, the historic time to remember should be the year 1775 and its following day of January 1, 1776.
The Somerville Times Historical Fact of the Week - March 12

Mar 12, 2025 | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #324 – Hidden Henry HansenBy Bob (Monty) DohertyIt has been eighty years since the United States landing on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. At an appalling cost of nearly 6,800 lives and 17,000 injured, the month-long struggle proved to be the toughest in Marine Corp’s history. The battle was highlighted by the early American flag raisings on the island’s highest peak, Mt. Suribachi.
The Somerville Times Historical Fact of the Week - February 26

Feb 26, 2025 | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #323 – Queen of the Air – Heart of the OceanBy Bob (Monty) DohertyFrom above, it looks like an island in the middle of a body of water, not unlike a footprint of a modern castle surrounded by a moat. From the shore, it looks like an airport with its conning tower protruding high into the air where operators have a great 360° vista. It was completed in 1966 and was built in Somerville at the intersection of the Mystic and Malden Rivers.
The Somerville Times Historical Fact of the Week - February 12

Feb 12, 2025 | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #322 – King GeorgeBy Bob (Monty) DohertyAt the end of the victorious eight-year American Revolutionary War, some of his officers wanted to crown him “King.” They had grown to love and respect their leader and wanted him to continue to lead the country that they had fought for. General George Washington, the object of their honor and devotion, resolutely turned them down. He reminded them that they had just fought and won a war for freedom, not for a monarchy.