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Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
southendmd:
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.
southendmd:
I'll take you a little tour.
Here is the tower as seen from my street:
southendmd:
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".
southendmd:
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.
southendmd:
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:
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