Date Visited: March 19, 2016
Cost: Free
Location: Bancroft Tower Road, Salisbury Park,Worcester, MA
Open: Daily from sunrise until 6 p.m.
In 1900, Stephen Salisbury II built a tower on what is now known as Salisbury Park as a tribute to his friend, historian and jack of all trades, George Bancroft. And to think, my friends only usually give me gift cards, wine and books for my birthday.
The park is has a wide variety of bird life.
As I was reviewing the photos, I couldn’t help feeling the tower was purposefully constructed to look as though it was incomplete. The sides are not rounded and seem almost as though they were cut off from the facade or the builder gave up half way through. But, as the photos show it was indeed constructed this way by design.
My favorite view from the tower was at the arched entrance.
The 56 foot tower is made of natural stone and granite. It was designed by Stephen C. Earle and Clellann W. Fisher.
The plaque at the memorial states:
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
Jacks wasn’t impressed by the tower.
There were some views of the city from the parking lot.
During my visit and in my research after the shoot, I found out they let visitors inside the tower during October of each year. The views at the top are said to give 360 degree views of the area. The sorority and fraternity at the local college also holds a Halloween party for the kids in the area at the tower with mild scares. So, it looks like a visit in October is on my list!
A walking tour of the Bancroft Tower:
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New England Nomad’s Facebook Page
April 7th, 2016 at 3:27 pm
So I guess you’ll be going back in October for the Tower Tour.
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April 7th, 2016 at 3:28 pm
Absolutely! I can’t wait! Thank you!
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April 7th, 2016 at 9:45 pm
It looks like a miniature castle. Is the block with the lines in it some kind of marker for constelations or something? I am excited to see the view from the top.
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April 8th, 2016 at 1:02 am
It is like a castle and I can’t wait to go inside when they open it up to the public in October. That is a great question. The widely accepted meaning of the compass looking plaque is meant to indicate the other six of the Seven Hills of Worcester (Bancroft Hill itself being one of the seven). But , after some research was done, it doesn’t appear, from the top of the hill, that they really do. But, that could just be a miscalculation by the original builders.. As far as the lines on the block go, I initially thought they were just more for the sake of design. But, there may be more meaning to them. I could not find any information about it on the internet. That is kind of cool, too, though. The mystery is often times just as intriguing and cool as knowing.
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April 8th, 2016 at 2:49 am
Oh I love a good mystery.
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April 8th, 2016 at 2:50 am
I do too!
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April 8th, 2016 at 2:55 am
Some day I am going to take a trip east and see these lovely places in person.
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April 8th, 2016 at 2:47 am
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
YA WANNA BUY A REAL MANSION??? GOT ONE (OR TWO)FOR SALE IN EAAST DOUGLAS…25 MILES SOUTH OF WOO-TOWN! (i LIVE IN DOUGLAS, MA)
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April 8th, 2016 at 2:54 am
Thank you for the reblog! Is there anything fun to photograph in Douglas? 🙂
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April 8th, 2016 at 3:05 am
Got old stone bridges…including a big one over a former railroad bed…the Goodness Store…a local hangout with a history, Douglas State Forest…structures at the Douglas Campground….an old fire station with cascading ponds…the Former Schuster mansions…? A cement ICE CREAM MAN…at the family Convenience store (was featured in one or two books on roadside wonders! Rte 16…across from the town garage and fire station!
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April 8th, 2016 at 2:02 pm
Cool! I will put it on my list! Thanks!
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April 13th, 2016 at 12:15 am
Hey I was in your neck of the woods this past weekend so I stopped by Douglas State Forest. Drop by when you get a chance!
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April 13th, 2016 at 12:19 am
How long will you be there? Maybe I could Thursday or Friday.
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April 13th, 2016 at 12:28 am
I was only there for a day trip. Next time I plan on being in the area I will let you know and we can meet up. I do love that area so I will be around again!
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April 13th, 2016 at 12:29 am
Good deal!
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April 13th, 2016 at 12:57 am
It does really look incomplete!
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April 13th, 2016 at 1:29 am
I know! It just doesn’t look right. Thank you for noticing!
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April 14th, 2016 at 7:30 pm
My brother lives in Worcester. I wonder if he’s ever been here. I’ll have to ask him.
Plucking Of My Heartstrings
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April 14th, 2016 at 7:47 pm
I hear it is popular with younger people. So it is possible that he has been there in his travels. If he hasn’t gone, he should!
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April 18th, 2016 at 3:16 pm
I grew up in Worcester and ‘back in the day’ this was open all year round. I vividly remember climbing the stairs in the turrets and absorbing the beautiful view. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Great memories. It is too bad they had to close it to the public.
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April 18th, 2016 at 9:24 pm
It is a,beautiful tower. I do wish it was open for visitors. I will go back in October when they do open it for visitors!
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August 5th, 2016 at 12:59 am
[…] Bancroft Tower, Worcester, MA […]
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