Bancroft Tower

Bancroft Tower

Bancroft Tower
Location Bancroft Tower Rd., Worcester, Massachusetts
Coordinates 42°16′35″N 71°48′57″W / 42.2765°N 71.8158°W / 42.2765; -71.8158Coordinates: 42°16′35″N 71°48′57″W / 42.2765°N 71.8158°W / 42.2765; -71.8158
Area 1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built 1900
Architect Earle & Fisher
Architectural style Romanesque
MPS Worcester MRA
NRHP Reference # 80000524[1]
Added to NRHP March 5, 1980

Bancroft Tower is a 56-foot-high (17 m) natural stone and granite tower, which looks like a miniature feudal castle. It is located in Salisbury Park, in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. It was erected in 1900, in memory of George Bancroft. The tower was designed by Earle and Fisher.[2] The cost of construction was roughly $15,000.[3] Bancroft Tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

History

This tower was erected by Stephen Salisbury III in honor of George Bancroft. When Salisbury died, the tower was donated to the Worcester Art Museum, which in turn donated it to the Worcester Parks Department in 1912.[3] The Bancroft tower was listed on the National Register of Historical Places on March 5, 1980. The foreman on the job was Cornelius Henry Donahue (1863-1924) from Worcester MA and Spa Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. It was said he only hired other "Kerrymen".

Plaque

A plaque set into the ground in front of it explains its purpose:

Plaque

BANCROFT TOWER
THIS TOWER WAS BUILT IN 1900
TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF

GEORGE BANCROFT
1800-1891

BORN AT THE FOOT OF THIS HILL
HE ROSE TO THE POSTS OF
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
FOUNDER OF THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND
U.S. MINISTER TO GREAT BRITAIN
AND GERMANY

THIS MEMORIAL WAS BUILT BY HIS
FRIEND AND ADMIRER
STEPHEN SALISBURY III

Also notable about the small park in which the tower stands are the two half-compasses set into the ground in front of and behind the tower itself. They are marked as if they pointed to the other six of the Seven Hills of Worcester (Bancroft Hill itself being one of the seven), but it doesn't appear, from the top of the hill, that they really do.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ Bancroft Tower - Archiplanet
  3. 1 2 DPW Parks, Recreation & Cemetery - Salisbury Park
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