Garrison Hill Park and Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Garrison Hill Tower
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Garrison Hill Tower photographed from Garrison Hill
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Abbey Sawyer Memorial Dr., Dover, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 8.5 acres (3.4 ha) |
| Built | 1993 |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001413 |
| Added to NRHP | September 11, 1987 |
The Garrison Hill Tower is a tall building in Dover, New Hampshire, USA. It stands on top of Garrison Hill. This tower is about 76 feet (23 meters) high. It's made of iron and is painted green. The tower you see today was built in 1993. It's actually the third tower to stand on this spot! The park around the tower is a special place. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's important for history.
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Exploring Garrison Hill Park
Garrison Hill Park is located just north of downtown Dover. It sits on a hill called a drumlin, which is a small, rounded hill left behind by glaciers. The top of the hill is about 298 feet (91 meters) high.
The park covers about 8.5 acres (3.4 hectares) around the top of the hill. You can get there by driving on Abbie Sawyer Memorial Highway. This road leads to a parking area right at the summit. From there, you can easily reach the observation tower. There are also some water tanks and radio towers nearby.
A Look Back: The Tower's History
The story of Garrison Hill Tower goes back to 1880. Two people, Joseph Ham and Harrison Haley, bought the top of Garrison Hill. They wanted to turn it into a public park for everyone to enjoy.
The First Tower
Harrison Haley bought the very first tower for $1,000. It was a wooden observation tower, about 65 feet (20 meters) tall. An architect named B. D. Stewart designed it. This tower opened to the public and even had a restaurant at its base! Visitors could use a telescope to see far-off places, like Mount Washington.
In 1888, the city of Dover bought the park. They continued to run it as a public space. The city also built a water reservoir there, but it has since been filled in.
The Second and Third Towers
Sadly, the first wooden tower burned down in 1911. But a kind person named Abbey Sawyer wanted to build a new one. She paid for a replacement tower made of steel to honor her husband. She also funded a new road to the top of the hill, which is the Abbie Sawyer Memorial Drive we use today.
The second tower was built in 1913. However, it had to be taken down in 1990 because it was no longer safe. That's when volunteers stepped in and built the third tower, which is the one standing there now. On a clear day, you can see amazing views from the top. You might even spot the White Mountains or the Isles of Shoals!
