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Oliver Ames Jr. Square

Oliver Ames Square Sign

At the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Charlesgate West, near Kenmore Square, is a sign indicating that it's Oliver Ames Jr Square. Did you know, that Boston had two famous Oliver Ames Jr?

  • Oliver Ames Jr (1807 - 1877) - President of the Union Pacific Railroad
    Key Accomplishment: Instrumental with completion of the first transcontinental Railroad in North America.
  • Oliver Ames Jr (1895 - 1918) - United States Army Officer
    Key Accomplishment: A courteous kindly gentleman and a true soldier

The square is named for Lieutenant Oliver Ames Jr. who served in the 165th United States Infantry Regiment, part of the 42nd Infantry Division in World War One. On July 29th, 1918, he gave his life at the Second Battle of the Marne.

Oliver Ames Jr (1807 - 1877) is the father of Oliver Ames Jr (1895 - 1918)

Some interesting thing that I learned about Oliver Ames Jr:

  • Born in Boston on April 8, 1885
  • Married Caroline Lee Fessenden before the World War I
  • Served in the 165th United States Infantry Regiment, part of the 42nd Infantry Division
  • The 42nd Infantry Division was mostly made up of National Guard units.
  • Served under Major "Wild Bill" Donovan
  • Was killed by a German sniper who was hiding behind a dead horse at the Battle of the Ourcq River during the second battle of the Marne.
  • He received the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously with the following text: "He fought gallantly until on the last day he was killed while going forward voluntarily through machine-gun and snipers' fire to the assistance of his battalion commander."
  • In 1922, a book about him called "OLIVER AMES, J R - 1895-1918" by Mark Antony De Wolfe Howe published by Harvard Press
  • The book contains actual letters that he wrote home from the frontline.

The Square View
You can see the new "Boston Strong" sign from the square. The square is between the cars and the "Boston Strong" sign.

Burial Location

Oliver Ames Jr buried at the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial in Picarde, France. His grave reads:

Oliver Ames, Jr. 2nd Lt. Inf. U. S. R. Killed in action, July 29th, 1918 Act. Adjutant 1st Btn. 65th Inf.

 

Comments

James Hi, a minor correction~ Oliver Ames, Jr. (1895-1918) was actually the son of Oliver Ames (1864-1929) and Elise (West) Ames (1867-1945). His siblings were Elise, Olivia and Richard Ames of Boston and North Easton. O.A., Jr. (1864-1929) was the son of Frederick Lothrop Ames, who was the son of O.A., Jr. (1807-1877) Oliver Ames, Jr. (1807-1877) would have been O.A., Jr.'s (1895-1918) Great Grandfather. Confused? I am aware of all of this, as I had the pleasure of living in O.A., Jr.'s (1807-1877) home in North Easton for almost 20 years.

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There are many interesting things and places around Boston, MA that you should know about. Here are a few that caught my attention. From historical sites such as the USS Constitution Museum, the Freedom Trail, and the iconic Fenway Park, to modern attractions like the New England Aquarium, the Boston Public Market, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, there is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a fun family trip or a romantic getaway, Boston has it all.

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