Bancroft Tower, Stone folly tower in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The 56-foot granite structure features corner towers with crenellations, an arched gate, and a central circular tower built with natural stone blocks.
Stephen Salisbury III commissioned the tower in 1900 to commemorate George Bancroft, a Worcester-born historian and politician who served as his father's friend.
The tower represents early 20th-century American architectural practices, combining elements of medieval castle design with local construction materials.
Visitors can reach the tower through Salisbury Park, located west of Park Avenue and south of Drury Lane in Worcester's northwest area.
Two half-compasses embedded in the ground near the tower mark the directions toward the other hills of Worcester's Seven Hills system.
Location: Massachusetts
Architects: Earle & Fisher
GPS coordinates: 42.27650,-71.81580
Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:24
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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