Author Topic: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010  (Read 9376 times)

Offline southendmd

  • Town Administration
  • The BetterMost 10,000 Post Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,934
  • well, I won't
Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
« on: February 14, 2010, 06:22:54 pm »
Ptown is gearing up to celebrate the centennial of its favorite symbol, the Pilgrim Monument.

The Pilgrim Monument was built to commemorate the Pilgrims' first landing in Provincetown, and the signing of the Mayflower Compact in November 1620. 

President Teddy Roosevelt laid the cornerstone in 1907, and President William Taft presided over the dedication on August 5, 1910.

At 252 feet (77 meters), and 350 feet above sea level, it is the largest all-granite structure in the US.  Built entirely of granite from Stonington, Maine, it was designed after the Torre del Mangia in Siena, Italy. 


Offline southendmd

  • Town Administration
  • The BetterMost 10,000 Post Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,934
  • well, I won't
Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2010, 06:25:14 pm »
I'll take you a little tour.

Here is the tower as seen from my street:


Offline southendmd

  • Town Administration
  • The BetterMost 10,000 Post Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,934
  • well, I won't
Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2010, 06:28:46 pm »
The monument was built on High Pole Hill, the highest spot in town, and the former site of Town Hall, which had burned down in the 1870s.

A little closer view, from the parking lot.  You can see the strings of lights that adorn the monument during the holidays.  This weekend, it is floodlit in red for Valentine's Day.  Today the monument was open (unusual for winter) and free of charge, for a "healthy heart climb".


Offline southendmd

  • Town Administration
  • The BetterMost 10,000 Post Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,934
  • well, I won't
Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2010, 06:32:38 pm »
Here's an image of President Teddy Roosevelt laying the cornerstone, which came from North Carolina.  The rest of the granite was sent by rail from Maine.



Here's the cornerstone today.  It is a lighter color than the rest.


Offline southendmd

  • Town Administration
  • The BetterMost 10,000 Post Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,934
  • well, I won't
Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2010, 06:37:04 pm »
A few views from the base:

The harbour, and "new" Town Hall on the right.


The former Methodist Church, recently converted to the Public Library:


The Christopher Wren spire of the Universalist Meeting House:



Offline southendmd

  • Town Administration
  • The BetterMost 10,000 Post Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,934
  • well, I won't
Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2010, 06:38:31 pm »
Looking up:


Offline southendmd

  • Town Administration
  • The BetterMost 10,000 Post Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,934
  • well, I won't
Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2010, 06:40:33 pm »
Entering:


Offline southendmd

  • Town Administration
  • The BetterMost 10,000 Post Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,934
  • well, I won't
Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2010, 06:42:23 pm »
Looking up, inside.  It's a series of steps (116) and ramps (60) to get to the top. 


Offline southendmd

  • Town Administration
  • The BetterMost 10,000 Post Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,934
  • well, I won't
Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2010, 06:45:48 pm »
Along the way, there are interior stones that were donated by various cities and towns and societies.  Reading them as you climb keeps your mind off your knees.

My Fair City!


Here's one from our Western FRiends:


Probably the prettiest stone:


Offline southendmd

  • Town Administration
  • The BetterMost 10,000 Post Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,934
  • well, I won't
Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2010, 06:50:08 pm »
There are a few narrow windows along the way: