Smyth Tower, Folly tower at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Manchester, United States

The Smyth Tower is a 40-foot-high fieldstone folly with walls 2 feet thick and an outside diameter of 28 feet. It has a basement level 8 feet high, three floors, and a crenellated parapet. Vertical rows of rectangular windows with white frames are set into the curved wall, and four circular porthole-like openings sit high on the upper section.

Frederick Smyth, a former Governor of New Hampshire, built this stone tower in 1888 after traveling to Scotland and being inspired by its architecture. During World War II, the structure was repurposed as a radio communication station to support military efforts.

Smyth built the tower as a replica of one he saw in Scotland, and it stood in the park of his estate, The Willows, near the Amoskeag Falls. His widow gave it to the city of Manchester in 1938, and it is the only surviving structure tied to his life.

The tower is located within the Manchester VA Medical Center grounds and visible from nearby areas, though current construction or security measures may limit direct access to the structure. It is best to contact the Medical Center ahead of your visit to confirm visiting conditions.

During World War II the tower was converted into a radio communication station with the call sign W1LVK, with work carried out by WPA workers. This unexpected repurposing shows how a private structure was adapted to serve national defense needs during wartime.