Castle Craig facts for kids
Castle Craig is a cool stone tower located on East Peak in the Hanging Hills. It's built from a special rock called trap rock. The tower stands about 32 feet (10 meters) tall. Its base is about 58 feet (18 meters) around. Inside, there's a metal staircase that takes you up to an observation deck at the very top.
Castle Craig is about 976 feet (297 meters) above sea level. From the top, you can see amazing views of the Meriden, Connecticut area.
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What is Castle Craig?
A Gift to Meriden
Castle Craig was officially opened on October 29, 1900. It was a gift to the people of Meriden, Connecticut, from a man named Walter Hubbard. The tower is part of the huge 1,800-acre (7.3 km²) Hubbard Park, which is named after Mr. Hubbard.
How to Visit the Tower
You can reach the tower by hiking on trails, like the 62-mile (100 km) long Metacomet Trail. There's also a road called Reservoir Road. You can drive on this road from May 1 to October 31, between 10 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. If you like walking or jogging, you can use the road all year round, from sunrise to sunset.
Amazing Views from the Top
From the observation deck, which is 1,002 feet (305 meters) high, you can see really far!
- To the south, you might spot New Haven and the Long Island Sound, about 25 miles (40 km) away.
- To the west, you can see the lower hills of the Berkshires.
- To the north, you might see the tall buildings of Hartford and even the top of Mount Tom in Massachusetts.
Where Did the Idea Come From?
People have wondered for a long time what inspired the tower's design. Walter Hubbard traveled a lot. Some say he got the idea from an old French tower. Others think it looks like a 12th-century Turkish tower near the Danube River. Still others believe it was inspired by an ancient tower in Craigellachie, Scotland.
The Tower's Dedication Day
On October 29, 1900, there was a special ceremony to open Castle Craig. Mr. Hubbard officially gave the tower to the City of Meriden.
Many important people and citizens came to celebrate. They enjoyed a big oyster roast near the tower. People traveled by trolley or in their own carriages. About 250 guests were there. Mr. Hubbard provided six barrels of clams, which were roasted over a large fire. Everyone admired the tower and the beautiful views. They also thanked Mr. Hubbard for his generous gift. A large flag was raised on the tower, and everyone cheered for Mr. Hubbard, calling him the "first citizen of Meriden."
Castle Craig Plaque Details
At the bottom of Castle Craig, there is a plaque that tells more about the tower.
What the Plaque Says
The plaque explains that Castle Craig was dedicated on October 29, 1900. It stands 32 feet (10 meters) high on East Peak, which is 976 feet (297 meters) tall. The plaque also mentions that East Peak is the highest point within 25 miles (40 km) of the coast from Maine all the way to Florida.
The plaque also talks about the tower's design. It says some people think its trap rock construction looks like old Norman watchtowers in Europe. Others believe it was named after an ancient castle in Scotland.
Walter Hubbard, a businessman from Meriden, gave both the tower and the park to the city. The park was named Hubbard Park to honor him. From the tower's observation deck, you can see Long Island Sound to the south. On a clear day, you might even see the outline of Long Island itself. To the north, you can see the Berkshire Hills in Southern Massachusetts. Hubbard Park is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A Small Correction
While the plaque says East Peak is the highest point near the coast, there's a small correction. West Peak, which is only about 2,000 feet (610 meters) to the west, is actually a bit higher at 1,024 feet (312 meters). Also, there are some mountains in the coastal region of Downeast Maine that are taller than both East and West Peak.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo Craig para niños
