Grave of Hanson Gregory.

Grave of the Inventor of the Doughnut Hole

Captain Hanson Gregory (1832-1921) put the first hole in a doughnut in 1847. His small gravestone credits him as the inventor of the doughnut, but that's incorrect; the "dough-nut" existed long before Gregory was born. He just had the vision to put a hole in it.

Gregory spent his last few years and died in Quincy, where he was buried in a cemetery for sailors. His first tombstone -- a simple marker -- disappeared, and it wasn't until 1982 that the current one was erected, crediting him as the doughnut's inventor. It was paid for as a tribute by the Rosenberg family, founders of the Dunkin' Donuts chain, which had opened its first shop in Quincy in 1950.

The Rosenbergs obviously knew about the Captain, but most doughnut-lovers don't; if you visit, you will probably have the grave to yourself.

Also see: Birthplace of the Inventor of the Doughnut Hole

Grave of the Inventor of the Doughnut Hole

Sailors Home Cemetery

Address:: 6 Doane St., Quincy, MA
Directions:: Sailors Home Cemetery. Park at the end of Doane St. There is a "yacht club"/boat launching ramp to the right. Walk through the gate and into the playing field behind the Snug Harbor Elementary School. Follow the far tree line for about 300 feet to the small cemetery.

More on Grave of the Inventor of the Doughnut Hole

Nearby Offbeat Places

First and Original Dunkin Donuts, Quincy, MA - 2 mi.

Abigail Adams Statue, Quincy, MA - 2 mi.

World's Most Nearly Perfect Sphere, Quincy, MA - 2 mi.

In the region:

John Brown's Bell, Marlborough, MA - 30 mi.

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