Castle Craig

Castle Craig is an observation tower on East Peak in Connecticut, built from local trap rock and rising roughly 300 meters above sea level. The round structure measures about 18 meters in circumference at its base and reaches a height of nearly 10 meters.

Walter Hubbard, head of a manufacturing company, donated the tower to Meriden residents on October 29, 1900. The dedication ceremony marked the completion of his plan to give the community a permanent lookout point.

The name reflects Walter Hubbard's interest in medieval construction styles he encountered during his travels through Europe. Visitors find a narrow stone spiral staircase inside that leads up to the observation platform.

Hiking trails lead to the tower from several starting points, while a mountain road remains open for vehicles between May and October. The site opens in the morning and closes before dusk, giving visitors enough time for the climb up and down.

On clear days, the view from the platform reaches Long Island Sound to the south, while the hills of the Berkshires appear to the north. Hartford's skyline also emerges on the horizon, making the tower one of the few spots where three such different landscapes become visible.

Location: Connecticut

Official opening: October 9, 1900

GPS coordinates: 41.55650,-72.83540

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28