Ellicott Arch and 99 Steps

Emerald Necklace's 99 Steps, Job #00918, Boston, MA

Olmsted Archives

Quick Facts

Location:

Boston, MA

Significance:

Olmsted Designed Park

MANAGED BY:

Emerald Necklace Conservancy

Olmsted Sr passed onto his sons and firm members the belief that parks should be as natural as possible, fitting in seamlessly with the landscape. John Charles certainly followed in his father’s footsteps when designing Ellicott Arch. Completed in 1899, the exterior is covered with Roxbury puddingstone boulders taken from the area.Across the road from Ellicott Arch are the 99 Steps, also made of puddingstone from the area. The steps wind gracefully into the Wilderness, a 65-acre native oak forest, intended to provide a typical example of a New England woods.

Source: "Franklin Park," The Cultural Landscape Foundation

For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
Olmsted Online