Bowman's Hill Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bowman's Hill Tower
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Bowman's Hill Tower
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| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Bucks |
| Municipality | Upper Makefield Township |
Bowman's Hill Tower, also known as Bowman's Tower, is a tall stone tower. It stands about 125 feet high. You can find it inside Washington Crossing Historic Park in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources takes care of the tower. It was built in the 1930s as a special memorial. The tower is located just northeast of the top of Bowman's Hill.
Contents
Building the Tower
How Bowman's Tower Was Built
Work on Bowman's Hill Tower started in 1929 and finished in 1931. The tower is 125 feet tall. Its base measures 24 feet on each side. Workers used local stone from Bowman's Hill to build it. They also used stone from nearby fences. Special cut stone for windows and railings came from quarries in Lumberville, Pennsylvania and Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
Materials and Cost
Building the tower used a lot of materials. Over 2,400 short tons of supplies were needed. This included 1,200 perch of stone, 517 short tons of sand, and 225 short tons of cement. To make sure the tower was strong, its foundation was dug 15 feet deep. Employees from the Washington Crossing Park Commission did all the building work. The total cost to build the tower, including labor, was $100,000.
Keeping the Tower Safe
By 1934, lightning had struck the tower many times. Because of this, a special lightning protection system was put in place. This system helps keep the tower safe during storms. In the 1930s, groups like the Civil Works Administration helped plant over 28,300 tree seedlings. This effort helped to reforest the area around the tower. They also added many rocks to stop soil from washing away. These groups also created two clear viewing spots from the tower to the Delaware River.
Tower Updates and Views
In the 1980s, the tower was fixed up a lot. An elevator was added for visitors. Before this, people had to climb a winding stone staircase to reach the top. Now, the elevator goes most of the way up. Visitors then climb a short, narrow 23-step spiral staircase to the roof. A special wall, called a parapet, is at the top. It gives the tower its unique look.
Washington Crossing Park
Exploring the Historic Park
The state of Pennsylvania created the Washington Crossing Historic Park in 1917. Then, in 1919, they set up the Washington Crossing Park Commission. This group manages and develops the park. The park is famous for being where George Washington and his soldiers crossed the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War.
Other Park Attractions
The park also has the Thompson-Neely House. This is a very old house, possibly built in 1702. It is a historic farmstead located in Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It gives visitors a look into the past.
Why the Name Bowman?
Different Ideas for the Name
No one knows for sure how Bowman's Hill got its name. But there are a few interesting ideas:
- Some think the original name was Beau Mont, which means "beautiful mountain" in French. This name was possibly paired with Belle Mont, a similar hill in New Jersey. A man named John Beaumont owned land here in 1783.
- Another idea is that the hill was named after Thomas Bowman. He was an English merchant who traded along the Delaware River in the 1600s.
- It might also be named for a John Bowman, a friend of Jonathan Pidcock. Pidcock was one of the first European settlers in the area. During the American Revolutionary War, soldiers camped on Pidcock's farm, which was on the hill.
- There's also a legend about a Doctor John Bowman. He was supposedly a surgeon for the famous pirate Captain Kidd. The story says Dr. Bowman retired to Pennsylvania and is buried on the hill. Some even say pirate treasure might be hidden there! However, a marker on the hill remembers John Pidcock, not Dr. Bowman.
Amazing Views from the Tower
What You Can See from the Top
From the top of Bowman's Hill Tower, you can see many interesting sights:
- To the east, you can spot a large American Flag flying over a cemetery. This cemetery holds the graves of 23 Continental Army soldiers from the Revolutionary War. Twenty-two of them are unknown heroes.
- Also to the east, you can see a large, now-closed quarry. It is on the west side of Baldpate Mountain in Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey.
- Down the hill and across River Road to the east is the Thompson-Neely House. This 18th-century stone farmhouse also has an old gristmill.
- Looking northwest, you can see the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge. This bridge connects New Hope, Pennsylvania and Lambertville, New Jersey. You can also see the U.S. Route 202 bridge.
- To the southeast, you can see parts of Trenton, New Jersey and Morrisville, Pennsylvania.
- To the south, you might spot the Tullytown landfill, which is managed by Waste Management, Inc..
