99 Steps and Ellicott Arch

 

The 99 Steps, at one edge of the Wilderness near the Williams Street entrance, show a classic Olmsted design.  The steps he built into steep areas of the hillside were made from native Roxbury Puddingstone, blended well with the surrounding landscape, and curved in different directions so the stairs would fit into the natural scenery without being conspicuous.

Roxbury Puddingtone, a glacial conglomerate, is unique in the world. You can also see glacial erratics, huge Puddingstone boulders perched throughout the park. It looks like one could roll these rocks down hillsides, but they have been in the same place for thousands of years.

 

Ellicott Arch, below, is also typical of Olmsted's style of design.  The  graceful, rounded rock structure of the arch merges with greenery to create the picturesque views for which Franklin Park is famous. To see more historic and current photos of the park, visit our Photo Gallery.