The Old North Church in Boston's North End neighborhood is the 13th marker on the Freedom Trail, followed by Copp's Hill Burying Ground, the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument.
In Fallout 4, the red line of the "Road to Freedom" ends at the Old North Church - gateway to Railroad HQ. Players who get past a few ghouls, enter the catacombs, solve a code and open a secret door will meet Desdemona, Glory, Drummer Boy and Deacon here.
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| The Old North Church and Paul Revere equestrian statue (left) as they appear in the video game Fallout 4, and a photo of the IRL statue (right) for comparison. Screen capture by Jewelsmith, photo from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Its steeple was the location of the famous "One if by land, two if by sea" signal to Paul Revere in April 1775, which sent him on his midnight ride ahead of the Battles of Lexington and Concord at the start of the American Revolution.
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| The steeple of the Old North Church, as seen in the video game Fallout 4 (left) and as it appears in real-life Boston, Massachusetts (right). Screen capture by Jewelsmith, photo courtesy of the National Park Service |
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| In honor of Paul Revere's historic ride, two lanterns may be found in the steeple of the Old North Church in Fallout 4. Screen capture by Jewelsmith |
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| Two lanterns illuminate the Old North Church steeple at night, as seen from across the rooftops in Fallout 4 - PS4 screen capture by Jewelsmith |
The original steeple of the Old North Church was destroyed by a hurricane in 1804 and a replacement steeple, designed by Charles Bulfinch (see the Faneuil Hall article for more about him), was toppled by another hurricane in 1954. The current steeple is based on both the original and Bulfinch versions.
This video shows the Old North Church and tells the story of a modern bell ringer. (Click here to watch on YouTube)
A statue by sculptor Cyrus E. Dallin, commemorating Paul Revere's ride, stands in the Paul Revere Mall near the Old North Church. This can be seen in the game, too, though the mall is much smaller in Fallout 4.
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| The Old North Church IRL (left) and in Fallout 4 (right) Photograph courtesy of NewEngland.com and PS4 screen capture by Jewelsmith |
Inside the IRL church, there is a bust of George Washington, completed by artist Christian Gullager during Washington's lifetime, which Layfayette said was the best likeness of the first president he had ever seen.
- Click here for a photo of the bust from the book Boston Bronze and Stone Speak to Us by Joseph R. Gallo Jr
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| The Old North Church interior, Boston. Photo by Victorgrigas CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| The post-apocalyptic Old North Church interior, as it appears in Fallout 4, with ruined chandeliers, pipe organ, pews and galleries. Screen capture by Jewelsmith |
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| A wider view of the Old North Church interior, showing nave, organ, chandeliers, galleries, ruined pews (center) and fallen pulpit (right) in Fallout 4. Screen capture by Jewelsmith |
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| The other end of the Old North Church interior IRL, showing the altar and pulpit. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service |
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| The other end of the Old North Church in Fallout 4, with ruined pulpit and Railroad marker. Screen capture by Jewelsmith |
The crypts beneath the church, where the Railroad operates in Fallout 4, also exist in the real world and can be toured for $5 per person.
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| Inside the red brick crypts below Old North Church in Boston. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service |
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| On the way to Railroad HQ beneath the Old North Church in Fallout 4. Screen capture by Jewelsmith |
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| The red brick crypts as seen in Fallout 4 beneath the Old North Church, on the way to Railroad HQ. Digitally enchanced screen capture by Jewelsmith (original was green and murky) |
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| The red brick crypts beneath the Old North Church as seen in real life. Image from WCVB-TV "Boston Underground" |
Between 1732 and 1860, there were an estimated 1,100 bodies buried in thirty-seven tombs, including those of British Marine Major John Pitcairn, who died from injuries received at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and Captain Samuel Nicholson of the USS Constitution.
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| The developers of Fallout 4 even copied the actual crypt doors, such as this one seen in a photograph (left) and in the game (right), reading "Shubael Bell and Robert Fennelly 1808." Photo courtesy of TheFreedomTrail.org, screen capture by Jewelsmith |
The “Stranger’s Tomb” from 1813 was used to bury poorer citizens, including children, who had died from disease.
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| Stranger's Tomb beneath the Old North Church. Photo by Aimee Seavey, courtesy of New England Today Travel |
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| Stranger's Tomb as it appears in Fallout 4 (digintally enhanced for clarity, as the lighting, color and textures in the game make it difficult to see). The stone plaque is a different color but the writing is the same style, reading "No 14 Stranger's Tomb 1813" just like the one in the real world. Screen capture by Jewelsmith |
In the area just north of the Old North Church, Fallout 4 players will find pizza signs and green, white and red bunting, the colors of the flag of Italy. This represents Boston's North End neighborhood and its large Italian population.
- Read more about the North End on this website (link coming soon)
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| A street near the Old North Church with pizza sign and green, white and red bunting, as seen in Fallout 4. Screen capture by Jewelsmith |
I'll be writing more about Fallout 4 locations, and researching their real-world inspirations, in the months to come. Check back for updates or follow me on YouTube, Twitter or Patreon for more information.
~ Jewelsmith (aka JLHilton)Additional information:
WCVB-TV "Boston Underground" (video)
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