Pulpit Rock Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pulpit Rock Base-End Station (N. 142)
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9 Davis Rd., Rye, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.4 acres (0.16 ha) |
| Built | 1944 |
| Built by | US Army Corps of Engineers |
| Architectural style | Moderne, Coastal artillery fire contr |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000188 |
| Added to NRHP | April 16, 2010 |
The Pulpit Rock Tower is a cool old military tower in Rye, New Hampshire. It's also called the Pulpit Rock Base-End Station (N. 142). This tower was built way back in 1943. It was part of the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth. These defenses were a group of military structures around Portsmouth. The tower helped protect the area during World War II. It is the only one of fourteen similar towers from that time that is still standing. Today, the state owns it. A local group helps take care of it, and sometimes you can even visit inside! It became a historic place in 2010.
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What is the Pulpit Rock Tower?
The Pulpit Rock Tower is in northern Rye. You can find it on a small piece of land owned by the state. It's located between Neptune Drive and Pulpit Rock Road. You can get to it by walking on a path from Neptune Drive.
How tall is the tower?
This tower is made of concrete and has eight stories. It stands about 73 feet (22 meters) tall. The walls are very thick, about 12 inches (30 cm). The floors are even thicker, about 13.5 inches (34 cm).
What is it like inside?
Inside the tower, there is a spiral staircase made of concrete. This staircase goes up six levels. To reach the very top two levels, you need to climb wooden ladders. At the highest point, there is a special platform. This platform was used for observing the coast.
Why was the Pulpit Rock Tower built?
The United States Army Corps of Engineers built this tower in 1943. It was the only tower of its kind built along the New Hampshire coast. It was one of many observation posts used during World War II. Its main job was to watch the coastline.
How was the tower used in the war?
During the war, the tower was very important. It was connected by telephone to Fort Dearborn. Fort Dearborn was a nearby military fort. People in the tower would watch the ocean. They would then call Fort Dearborn to share what they saw. This helped them track ships and protect the coast.
Who takes care of the tower now?
The state of New Hampshire now owns the Pulpit Rock Tower. A group called the Friends of Pulpit Rock helps out. They are a non-profit organization. They do small repairs and help keep the tower in good shape. They also arrange times for people to visit the tower. This way, everyone can learn about its history.
