Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower Explained

Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower
Nrhp Type:hd
Nocat:yes
Location:Central Falls, Rhode Island
Coordinates:41.8875°N -71.3892°W
Area:5acres
Built:1890
Architect:Humes, Albert H.
Added:April 6, 1979
Mpsub:Central Falls MRA (AD)
Refnum:79000057

Jenks Park is a city park of Central Falls, Rhode Island. The city's only large park, its development began in 1890 on land donated by Alvin Jenks. Its centerpiece is Cogswell Tower, designed by Pawtucket architect Albert H. Humes and built in 1904. A gift of Caroline Cogswell, the tower stands 18feet square and 70feet tall.[1] It has been the symbol of the City of Central Falls since its construction. The tower is supported by a brick barrel vault resting atop the historic Dexter's Ledge, from which, during King Philip's War in 1676, Native American scouts saw the approach of Captain Michael Pierce, and a company of Plymouth soldiers from the heights. Pierce's forces were ambushed and nearly annihilated by the Native Americans in "Pierce's Fight" at a site along the Blackstone River on March 26, 1676, where Pierce Park now stands.

The park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Historic Resources of Central Falls, Rhode Island (PDF page 28). Rhode Island Preservation. 2014-07-17.