Watch CBS News

Townie Trivia: How Much Do You Know About Charlestown?

bunkerHill2
(credit: www.nps.gov)

Upon launching the Townie Trivia series a few months ago, we noticed a healthy discussion about the definition of 'Townie.' While we use the term in the broader sense, some Charlestown natives point out that they are the only true townies. So, this is where we appease them with Townie Trivia: How Much Do You Know About Charlestown?

1. Prior to Boston's establishment, Charlestown was the capital of Massachusetts.

A. True
B. False

2. The Battle of Bunker Hill was actually fought at:

A. Bunker Hill
B. Breeds Hill
C. Dorchester Heights
D. Chelsea Creek

3. The oldest tavern in Massachusetts, which was reportedly visited by the likes of George Washington and Paul Revere, is in Charlestown. What is it called?

A. Warren Tavern
B. White Horse Tavern
C. Green Dragon
D. Tavern at the End of the World

4. As noted in the movie "The Town," Charlestown is in fact the bank robbery capital of the U.S.

A. True
B. False

5. Bunker Hill Community College, where Robin Williams' character Dr. Sean Maguire taught in the movie "Good Will Hunting," is a former _________.

A. Molasses Factory
B. State Mental Hospital
C. Navy Shipbuilding Business
D. State Prison

6. Which one of the following people grew up in Charlestown?

A. Dennis Lehane, Author
B. Chevy Chase, Actor
C. Howie Long, NFL Hall of Famer
D. Mike Milbury, Retired NHL Player

7. While Boston was dumping tea into the harbor, Charlestown was simultaneously burning piles of tea in bonfire fashion.

A. True
B. False

8. In 1775, Charlestown was almost entirely destroyed by what?

A. Hurricane
B. Flooding
C. Fire
D. Earthquake

9. A canal once connected Charlestown to Lowell, but it closed after the opening of the Boston and Lowell Railroad.

A. True
B. False

10. During the so-called mob wars that began in the 1960s, the Charlestown Mob was at odds with which of the following groups?

A. The Mullen Gang
B. The Genovese Crime Family
C. The Bonanno Crime Family
D. The Winter Hill Gang

Answers on Page 2

1. Prior to Boston's establishment, Charlestown was the capital of Massachusetts.

A. True - Founded in 1628, Charlestown was the first capital of Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Boston wasn't founded until 1630.)
B. False

2. A majority of the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought at:

A. Bunker Hill
B. Breeds Hill - While both sides were attempting to take control of Bunker Hill, the majority of the battle took place around neighboring Breed's Hill.
C. Dorchester Heights
D. Chelsea Creek

3. The oldest tavern in Massachusetts, which was reportedly visited by the likes of George Washington and Paul Revere, is in Charlestown. What is it called?

A. Warren Tavern - Founded in 1780, the Warren Tavern was said to be a favorite watering hole of Paul Revere
B. White Horse Tavern
C. Green Dragon (Note - The Green Dragon in Faneuil Hall claims to be older, but was moved from its original location.)
D. Tavern at the End of the World

4. As noted in the movie "The Town," Charlestown is in fact the bank robbery capital of the U.S.

A. True
B. False - At the time of the movie's release, police said they couldn't verify the statistic, and a number of media reports laid out statistics that countered that assertion. At least one website claims some truth, saying The Town was the armored car robbery capital.

5. Bunker Hill Community College, where Robin Williams' character Dr. Sean Maguire taught in the movie "Good Will Hunting," is a former _________.

A. Molasses Factory
B. State Mental Hospital
C. Navy Shipbuilding Business
D. State Prison -- Charlestown State Prison was in operation from 1805-1955.

6. Which one of the following people grew up in Charlestown?

A. Dennis Lehane, Author (From Dorchester)
B. Chevy Chase, Actor (From New York City)
C. Howie Long, NFL Hall of Famer
D. Mike Milbury, Retired NHL Player (From Brighton)

7. While Boston was dumping tea into the harbor, Charlestown was simultaneously burning piles of tea in bonfire fashion.

A. True
B. False - Charlestown's bonfire Tea Party was in 1765, some eight years before the infamous Boston Tea Party.

8. In 1775, Charlestown was almost entirely destroyed by what?

A. Hurricane
B. Flooding
C. Fire - During the Battle of Bunker Hill, the town was torched by British forces.
D. Earthquake

9. A canal once connected Charlestown to Lowell, but it closed after the opening of the Boston and Lowell Railroad.

A. True - Remnants of the Middlesex Canal can still be found. There's also a museum dedicated to it.
B. False

10. During the so-called mob wars that began in the 1960s, the Charlestown Mob was at odds with which of the following groups?

A. The Mullen Gang
B. The Genovese Crime Family
C. The Bonanno Crime Family
D. The Winter Hill Gang - Genovese & Bonanno were both NY-based. Their ally, the Partriarca Crime Family was at war with the Charlestown Mob. As for the Mullen Gang, they had been absorbed by the Winter Hill Gang.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.