Memorial Arch of Tilton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Memorial Arch of Tilton
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Elm St., Northfield, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1882 |
| Architect | Dow, Wheeler & Bodwell |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000296 |
| Added to NRHP | May 19, 1980 |
The Memorial Arch of Tilton is a famous arch in Northfield, New Hampshire, United States. It sits on a hill overlooking the town of Tilton. Some people call it Tilton's Folly, but it's a cool landmark!
This 55-foot-tall arch (17 m) was built in 1882 by a man named Charles Tilton. He designed it to look like the ancient Arch of Titus in Rome. However, he used a special rough stone style called rustication. This style was popular in buildings that looked like old Romanesque designs. The Memorial Arch of Tilton was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's an important historical site.
The Arch's Story
Charles Tilton got the idea for the arch in 1881. He was visiting Rome and saw the famous Arch of Titus. He decided to build a similar arch in his hometown.
Tilton wanted his arch to "symbolize the victories of peace rather than those of war." It's interesting that he chose to build this peace monument on top of an old Native American fort. This fort was at the very top of a local hill.
The Memorial Arch was finished in 1882. It cost about 50,000 dollars to build. That was a lot of money back then!
By the early 1980s, the arch was on the National Register of Historic Places. But it also needed some care. In 1984, it was repaired and cleaned. Workers removed plants growing from cracks at the top. They also cleaned the stone and fixed the mortar between the blocks. A park was also created around the monument at this time. They added picnic tables and grills for visitors to enjoy.
What the Arch Looks Like
The Memorial Arch of Tilton is 55 feet (17 m) tall and 40 feet (12 m) wide. It is made from strong Concord granite. The arch stands on a hill 150 feet (46 m) above the Winnipesaukee River. Its foundation goes deep into the ground, about 16 feet (4.9 m).
At the base of the arch, there is a very heavy, 50-ton stone box called a sarcophagus. There is also a red granite statue of a lion. Charles Tilton had planned to be buried inside this monument. However, he was actually buried about a mile away in Park Cemetery in Tilton.
When the Memorial Arch was first built, gas lamps were placed at each corner. These lamps lit up the monument at night. At that time, there were no electric street lights in Tilton. This meant the arch was the only brightly lit object for miles around!
Tilton also paid for other monuments in the town of Tilton. These included statues showing America, Europe, and Asia. He also had a statue made of a local Native American chief.
The Keystone's Secret
The keystone is the wedge-shaped stone at the very top of the arch. It is 5 feet (1.5 m) tall and 12 feet (3.7 m) deep. The words "Memorial Arch of Tilton" and the year "1882" are carved into its ends.
Inside the keystone, there is a special time capsule. This lead box holds newspapers from when the arch was built. It also contains a book called Successful Men of New Hampshire. There is also a history book about Sanbornton, New Hampshire, and some gold and silver coins.
