Riverdale Monument Explained

Riverdale–Spuyten Duyvil–Kingsbridge Memorial Bell Tower
Location:Riverdale Avenue at W. 239th St. & Henry Hudson Pkwy, Bronx, New York
Coordinates:40.8893°N -73.9083°W
Built:[1]
Architect:Dwight James Baum
Builder:John Zambetti, Inc.
Added:January 3, 2012
Area:.5 acres[2]
Refnum:11000967 [3]

The Riverdale–Spuyten Duyvil–Kingsbridge Memorial Bell Tower or Riverdale Monument is a memorial tower in Bell Tower Park located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. It was completed on September 17, 1930 to commemorate World War I veterans from the neighborhoods of Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, and Kingsbridge.[2] The plaque attached to the memorial lists the names of those Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, and Kingsbridge residence who served in World War I. In 1936, it was moved 700 feet south to make room for the Henry Hudson Parkway which it now stands next to. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 3, 2012.[3]

Description

The 50feet tall and 17.5feet wide monument is located on West 239th street between Riverdale Avenue and the Henry Hudson Parkway.[4] It was designed by Dwight James Baum for the Riverdale American Legion Post and built by John Zambetti, Inc. It is made of fieldstone and Indiana limestone and is estimated to weigh 500 tons.[2] [4] In the tower is a 1762 Spanish bell which had been made for a Mexican monastery. General Winfield Scott captured this bell during the Mexican War and brought it back to New York City where it resided in the Jefferson Market and a Riverdale firehouse before it was installed in the newly constructed tower.[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dowling. Nikki. Riverdale Monument may soon get some national recognition. July 27, 2011. 27 July 2011 . Riverdale Press. 9 May 2013.
  2. Web site: Bell Tower Park. New York City Parks Department. February 18, 2023.
  3. Web site: Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 1/03/12 Through 1/06/12. January 13, 2012. U.S. National Park Service. February 18, 2023.
  4. Web site: Permanent Art and Monuments > Riverdale, Spuytenduyvil, Kingsbridge Memorial Bell Tower. New York City Parks Department. 9 May 2013.