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| image = Eliot Tower Milton MA 03.jpg
| image = Eliot Tower Milton MA 03.jpg
| caption =
| caption =
| location = Milton, [[Milton, Massachusetts]]
| location = near the summit of [[Great Blue Hill]], [[Milton, Massachusetts]]
| coordinates = {{coord|42|12|48.5|N|71|6|44.5|W|display=inline}}
| coordinates = {{coord|42|12|48.5|N|71|6|44.5|W|display=inline}}
| locmapin = Massachusetts#USA
| locmapin = Massachusetts#USA
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|date = 2014-05-24
|date = 2014-05-24
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
| architecture =
| architecture = CCC Rustic
| added = September 25, 1980
| added = September 25, 1980
| area = less than one acre
| area = less than one acre
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}}
}}


The '''Great Blue Hill Observation Tower''', known locally as '''Eliot Tower''', a {{convert|35|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} stone structure, was built by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] (CCC).<ref name=dcr/> Its rubble stone base is joined to that of the [[Eliot Memorial Bridge]] and the two appear now to have been built together. The tower offers a view over about 270°, including all of Boston, Boston Harbor, and much of the South Shore.
The '''Great Blue Hill Observation Tower''', known locally as '''Eliot Tower''', is a historic stone tower located near the summit of [[Great Blue Hill]] in [[Milton, Massachusetts]]. The tower was built in the 1930s by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] (CCC) and is a good example of the rustic architecture CCC projects were known for. The {{convert|35|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} tower provides views of about 270°, with only the view toward the actual hill summit obscured by vegetation. The tower was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1980.<ref name="nris tower"/>

The tower is near the {{convert|635|ft|m|adj=on}} summit of [[Great Blue Hill]], a few hundred yards from and a little below the [[Great Blue Hill Weather Observatory]], which is at the top of the mountain. The view from the observation tower toward the Observatory and its forest of radio, TV, and microwave antennas, is obscured by trees.
==Description and history==
The tower was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1980.<ref name="nris tower"/>
Eliot Tower stands a short way from the summit of Great Blue Hill in the [[Blue Hills Reservation]] south of [[Boston, Massachusetts]]. The actual summit of the hill is occupied by the [[Great Blue Hill Weather Observatory]], which is separated from the tower by trees. The tower is a squat square structure, {{convert|35|ft|m}} in height, topped by a pyramidal roof. There are wide rectangular openings beneath the roof, and the main entry to the tower is on its eastern face. The tower is joined to a single-story covered picnic pavilion, which is made from the same rubblestone as the tower. The tower is located directly adjacent to the [[Eliot Memorial Bridge]], which predates it by about three decades. The tower offers a view over about 270°, including all of Boston, Boston Harbor, and much of the South Shore.<ref name=ada>{{cite web|url=https://www.townofmilton.org/DocumentCenter/View/1767/Eliot-Tower-Project-Description-PDF|title=Eliot Tower Project Description|publisher=Town of Milton|accessdate=2024-12-11}}</ref>

The tower was built in 1937-38 by a [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] crew stationed in the Blue Hills. This crew was also responsible for construction of the [[Chickatawbut Tower]], which has similar features. The attached pavilion was modified in the 1950s to include a supply and utility room, which was removed during restorative work in 2023-2024. In the 1980s vandals destroyed to pavilion's original slate roof, which was subsequently replaced by the present faux-slate material. The 2023-2024 restoration work includes an educational space for programs run by the observatory, and limited improvements for disability access.<ref name=ada/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://friendsofthebluehills.org/eliot-tower-closed-2/|title=Why Is Eliot Tower Closed?|publisher=Friends of the Blue Hills|accessdate=2024-12-11}}</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Gallery
{{Gallery
| lines = 2
|File:Eliot Tower Milton MA 01.jpg|
|File:Eliot Tower Milton MA 01.jpg|
|File:Eliot Tower Milton MA 02.jpg|
|File:Eliot Tower Milton MA 02.jpg|
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{commonscat|Eliot Tower}}
{{commons category|Eliot Tower}}


{{National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts}}
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[[Category:Observation towers on the National Register of Historic Places]]
[[Category:Observation towers on the National Register of Historic Places]]
[[Category:Towers in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Towers in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1934]]
[[Category:Towers completed in 1934]]
[[Category:1934 establishments in Massachusetts]]

Latest revision as of 00:52, 12 December 2024

Great Blue Hill Observation Tower
Great Blue Hill Observation Tower is located in Massachusetts
Great Blue Hill Observation Tower
Great Blue Hill Observation Tower is located in the United States
Great Blue Hill Observation Tower
Locationnear the summit of Great Blue Hill, Milton, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°12′48.5″N 71°6′44.5″W / 42.213472°N 71.112361°W / 42.213472; -71.112361
Arealess than one acre
Built1933-34[2]
Architectural styleCCC Rustic
MPSBlue Hills and Neponset River Reservations MRA
NRHP reference No.80000661 [1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 25, 1980

The Great Blue Hill Observation Tower, known locally as Eliot Tower, is a historic stone tower located near the summit of Great Blue Hill in Milton, Massachusetts. The tower was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and is a good example of the rustic architecture CCC projects were known for. The 35-foot-tall (11 m) tower provides views of about 270°, with only the view toward the actual hill summit obscured by vegetation. The tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[1]

Description and history

[edit]

Eliot Tower stands a short way from the summit of Great Blue Hill in the Blue Hills Reservation south of Boston, Massachusetts. The actual summit of the hill is occupied by the Great Blue Hill Weather Observatory, which is separated from the tower by trees. The tower is a squat square structure, 35 feet (11 m) in height, topped by a pyramidal roof. There are wide rectangular openings beneath the roof, and the main entry to the tower is on its eastern face. The tower is joined to a single-story covered picnic pavilion, which is made from the same rubblestone as the tower. The tower is located directly adjacent to the Eliot Memorial Bridge, which predates it by about three decades. The tower offers a view over about 270°, including all of Boston, Boston Harbor, and much of the South Shore.[3]

The tower was built in 1937-38 by a Civilian Conservation Corps crew stationed in the Blue Hills. This crew was also responsible for construction of the Chickatawbut Tower, which has similar features. The attached pavilion was modified in the 1950s to include a supply and utility room, which was removed during restorative work in 2023-2024. In the 1980s vandals destroyed to pavilion's original slate roof, which was subsequently replaced by the present faux-slate material. The 2023-2024 restoration work includes an educational space for programs run by the observatory, and limited improvements for disability access.[3][4]

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "Great Blue Hill Self Guided Trail Brochure" (PDF). Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. 2014-05-24.
  3. ^ a b "Eliot Tower Project Description". Town of Milton. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  4. ^ "Why Is Eliot Tower Closed?". Friends of the Blue Hills. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eliot Tower.
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