Bancroft's castle, Stone ruins on Gibbet Hill in Groton, Massachusetts.
The stone structure sits atop Gibbet Hill, featuring remaining walls and a fieldstone tower that overlooks the Massachusetts countryside at 42 degrees north.
General William Bancroft initiated construction in 1906 as a retirement residence, but financial constraints prevented completion of his grand vision for a larger castle.
The building transformed from a private residence to a tuberculosis sanatorium in 1918, when physician Harold Ayres purchased and renovated the structure.
Visitors can access the castle ruins through hiking trails beginning at the Gibbet Hill Grill parking lot or from designated spaces on Lowell Street.
A firework incident during July 4th celebrations in 1932 caused extensive damage, leaving only the exterior stone walls standing as a permanent reminder.
Location: Groton
GPS coordinates: 42.60850,-71.55990
Latest update: May 10, 2025 19:48
Massachusetts offers a range of locations beyond Boston and Cape Cod that receive fewer visitors. In the western part of the state, stone tower lookouts rise above forested hills, while waterfalls are located within state forests. Historic buildings from the 19th century stand in smaller communities, and gardens featuring native plant species are open to the public. The coastal region includes lighthouses on rocky points and beaches away from main travel routes. A museum houses a walk-through glass globe, geological formations show traces of past ice ages, and Victorian houses document different architectural styles. These places often require specific planning as they lie away from typical tourist routes.
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