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Even now that Ive been to the tower, I never really knew the history behind the High Rock Tower. To my knowledge High Rock was unavailable to the public until 2002 due to some constructions.
I began to research and found that this location was once known to be used as a look out point for the early settlers and native Americans. It gives a clear view of the harbor and parts extending out toward Lynn, Swampscott, Boston, and more beautiful sights.
The original design of the tower was made by Jesse Hutchinson, it was finally built from 1847 -1848 with the help of the final plans of Alonzo Lewis. The tower was originally constructed out of wooden materials. High Rock was used for public celebrations, concerts, and many other activities. Also, during the Civil War, the tower was even rented out to some scientists who did electrical experiments because of the altitude of the tower.After the fall of Richmond Virginia, which was the capital of the Confederate States of America during most of the Civil War, the tower was burned down during the celebration of the victory in 1865. In 1904, the oldest member of the Hutchinson family John W. Hutchinson gave the land to Lynn. The city agreed to build a tower to replace the first tower which had burned. The tower and its observatory were completed in 1906.
If you want to visit the observatory, keep an eye on the schedule updates found on Lynn's website.
High Rock Tower History, City of Lynn
American Civil War, Fall of Richmond
More history on High Rock Tower
Actually, when the South surrendered in the Civil War, a rumor moved through Lynn that the Hutchinson, who were abolitionists and the equivalent to modern day rock stars, said that if the North won the war, the wooden tower could be burned down in a big "bomb" fire. The Hutchinson Family were out of town, doing a concert tour. The tower was burned down and no authorities in Lynn stopped it. When the Hutchinson returned home they found their tower completely destroyed. When John Hutchinson was the only surviving family member at the estate at the turn of the century, he decided to donate the whole estate to the city of Lynn, on the condition that they rebuild the tower and make the whole estate a park.
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