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Our BetterMost Community => Chez Tremblay => Topic started by: southendmd on February 14, 2010, 06:22:54 pm

Title: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd 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.
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 14, 2010, 06:25:14 pm: I'll take you a little tour.

Here is the tower as seen from my street:

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2475-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd 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".

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2476.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd 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.

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2478.jpg)

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

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2484.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 14, 2010, 06:37:04 pm: A few views from the base:

The harbour, and "new" Town Hall on the right.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2479.jpg)

The former Methodist Church, recently converted to the Public Library:
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2481.jpg)

The Christopher Wren spire of the Universalist Meeting House:
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2482.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 14, 2010, 06:38:31 pm: Looking up:

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2483.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 14, 2010, 06:40:33 pm: Entering:

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2485.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd 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.

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2498.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd 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!
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2487.jpg)

Here's one from our Western FRiends:
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2488.jpg)

Probably the prettiest stone:
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2497.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 14, 2010, 06:50:08 pm: There are a few narrow windows along the way:

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2486.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 14, 2010, 06:57:55 pm: Finally at the top!

The harbor, looking south. The long strip of land on the right is the actual tip of the Cape, called Long Point.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2489.jpg)

Looking east, with the ocean beyond.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2490.jpg)

Looking west, Ptown is truly surrounded by water.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2492.jpg)

Looking up, greeted by a gargoyle.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2494.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 14, 2010, 07:00:57 pm: Back on terra firma as a few clouds roll in. Notice the coating of snow on the north side.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2499.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: Marina on February 14, 2010, 07:16:05 pm: Such beautiful photos, especially the geometric ramps and steps. Thank you! :)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: Front-Ranger on February 14, 2010, 09:06:03 pm: Quote from: southendmd on February 14, 2010, 06:45:48 pm

Here's one from our Western FRiends:
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/southendmd/ptown/DSCN2488.jpg)

Yay!!
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: CellarDweller on February 14, 2010, 09:36:34 pm: Very cool pics, Big Brother! ;D
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: MaineWriter on February 14, 2010, 10:07:07 pm: Great pictures, Paul. Thank you. This book has a great scene at the top of the tower and I highly recommend it...

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fRDLl4PUL._SL500_AA246_PIkin2,BottomRight,-16,34_AA280_SH20_OU01_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AVTZ6M?ie=UTF8&tag=kindleboards-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002AVTZ6M)(http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=kindleboards-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002AVTZ6M])
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on February 15, 2010, 12:09:14 pm: Thank you, Paul, for a wonderful view of the REAL THING!!
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oTBFwED-u2E/SS2-9KwomZI/AAAAAAAABC0/VbR7fb-o5nU/s400/Pilgrim-Monument-provincetown-mass-souvenir-building-replica.jpg)
(http://www.capecodsalties.com/images/CapeCodAerial1.JPG)

(Do you think any of those Pilgrim Tower souvenirs are salt and pepper shakers??) ::)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: delalluvia on February 15, 2010, 12:17:23 pm: When I was in college, I read a very memorable essay written by a woman called "Provincetown Memoirs" and it was about the homes this woman had lived in her life, and several things stuck out in my mind.

One was her apartment in Paris (while I was there, I tried to look for the place), another is a place on Capri off Italy and the third was Provincetown. Until now, I could only imagine what the place looked like. She wrote of the gay men on the streets and of the man who lived next door and had a lively sex life. She made me want to go visit the place, though I have no idea what it's like, other than what she wrote about it.
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 15, 2010, 05:53:50 pm: Quote from: marina del mar on February 14, 2010, 07:16:05 pm
Such beautiful photos, especially the geometric ramps and steps. Thank you! :)

Thanks, Marina. I wasn't sure if that one would come out at all.

Quote from: CellarDweller on February 14, 2010, 09:36:34 pm
Very cool pics, Big Brother! ;D

Thanks, Little Brother. We gotta plan another trip to Ptown.

Quote from: MaineWriter on February 14, 2010, 10:07:07 pm
Great pictures, Paul. Thank you. This book has a great scene at the top of the tower and I highly recommend it...

Leslie, you didn't mention they were witches! There's always a touch of magic in Provincetown.

Quote from: jmmgallagher on February 15, 2010, 12:09:14 pm
Thank you, Paul, for a wonderful view of the REAL THING!!
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oTBFwED-u2E/SS2-9KwomZI/AAAAAAAABC0/VbR7fb-o5nU/s400/Pilgrim-Monument-provincetown-mass-souvenir-building-replica.jpg)

(Do you think any of those Pilgrim Tower souvenirs are salt and pepper shakers??) ::)

I wouldn't be surprised, John.
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 15, 2010, 06:01:03 pm: Quote from: delalluvia on February 15, 2010, 12:17:23 pm
When I was in college, I read a very memorable essay written by a woman called "Provincetown Memoirs" and it was about the homes this woman had lived in her life, and several things stuck out in my mind.

One was her apartment in Paris (while I was there, I tried to look for the place), another is a place on Capri off Italy and the third was Provincetown. Until now, I could only imagine what the place looked like. She wrote of the gay men on the streets and of the man who lived next door and had a lively sex life. She made me want to go visit the place, though I have no idea what it's like, other than what she wrote about it.

Wow, Del. Paris, Capri and Provincetown--hard to beat that trio.

It's certainly worth a visit, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation agrees. They dubbed Ptown one of their "2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations".

http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/travel/dozen-distinctive-destinations/provincetown-massachusetts.html
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: Meryl on February 18, 2010, 02:12:29 am: Thanks for those wonderful views from and of the Monument, Paul. Brings back our idyllic weekend last summer. Hope it's still there 100 years from now! 8)

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/merylmarie/Provincetown%202009/Fudgeshop2.jpg)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: Penthesilea on February 19, 2010, 03:40:59 am: Thanks for taking us on the tour, Paul :).

The silhouette of the cape on the satellite photo looks almost like a mirrored Sylt.

~~Ptown~~ Cape Cod Sylt

(http://www.capecodsalties.com/images/CapeCodAerial1.JPG) (http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss192/Penthesilea09/cd808bde.png)
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 19, 2010, 09:00:51 am: Cool observation, Chrissi. However, John's photo is of the entire Cape Cod area (the island at lower left is Martha's Vineyard), and Provincetown is the sandy bit at the very tip.

Have you been to Sylt? It looks like it has a huge, white sand beach. Is that the North Sea?
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: Penthesilea on February 19, 2010, 01:04:47 pm: Quote from: southendmd on February 19, 2010, 09:00:51 am
Cool observation, Chrissi. However, John's photo is of the entire Cape Cod area (the island at lower left is Martha's Vineyard), and Provincetown is the sandy bit at the very tip.

Yeah, that's what I meant, the whole cape.

Quote
Have you been to Sylt? It looks like it has a huge, white sand beach. Is that the North Sea?

Yes, it's the North Sea. I've never been to Sylt. It must be a beautiful place, it's a very popular tourist destination, but also has a reputation of being the island of the rich and famous.
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: southendmd on February 19, 2010, 01:23:06 pm: Quote from: Penthesilea on February 19, 2010, 01:04:47 pm
Yes, it's the North Sea. I've never been to Sylt. It must be a beautiful place, it's a very popular tourist destination, but also has a reputation of being the island of the rich and famous.

Although it's rapidly changing, Provincetown always had the reputation of being a place full of weirdos, hippies, and bohemians. It attracts writers and artists. In recent times, its most famous resident probably was Norman Mailer. The rich and famous still go to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
Title: Re: Provincetown Pilgrim Monument turns 100 in 2010
Post by: Lynne on February 20, 2010, 09:43:57 am: Thanks for the tour of the monument, Paul. I'm glad it was such a gorgeous day for you and you got to climb it! :-* :-*