Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower

United States historic place


Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district

Cogswell Tower
41°53′15″N 71°23′21″W / 41.88750°N 71.38917°W / 41.88750; -71.38917
Area	5 acres (2.0 ha)
Built	1890
Architect	Humes, Albert H.
MPS	Central Falls MRA (AD)
NRHP reference No.	79000057^[1]
Added to NRHP	April 6, 1979

Jenks Park is a city park of Central Falls, Rhode Island. The city's only large park, its development began in 1890 on land donated by Alvin Jenks. Its centerpiece is Cogswell Tower, designed by Pawtucket architect Albert H. Humes and built in 1904. A gift of Caroline Cogswell, the tower stands 18 feet (5.5 m) square and 70 feet (21 m) tall.^[2] It has been the symbol of the City of Central Falls since its construction. The tower is supported by a brick barrel vault resting atop the historic Dexter's Ledge, from which, during King Philip's War in 1676, Native American scouts saw the approach of Captain Michael Pierce, and a company of Plymouth soldiers from the heights. Pierce's forces were ambushed and nearly annihilated by the Native Americans in "Pierce's Fight" at a site along the Blackstone River on March 26, 1676, where Pierce Park now stands.

The park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.^[1]

Another view of the tower
NRHP plaque in the park
Entry gate to Jenks Park
A view of Jenks Park, including the tower, a steel umbrella/pagoda, and natural rock formations.

References

^ ^a ^b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
^ "Historic Resources of Central Falls, Rhode Island (PDF page 28)" (PDF). Rhode Island Preservation. Retrieved July 17, 2014.

Central Falls, Rhode Island

Area

South Central Falls Historic District

Schools

Central Falls School District
- Central Falls High School

NRHP properties

Central Falls Congregational Church
Central Falls Mill Historic District
Central Street School
Samuel B. Conant House
David G. Fales House
Benjamin F. Greene House
Holy Trinity Church
Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower
South Central Falls Historic District
St. Joseph Church
St. Matthew Church (now Holy Spirit Parish)
Valley Falls Mill, Office and Bath House

Other sites

Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility

This list is incomplete.

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