Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower
National Register of Historic Places

Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower

Central Falls, Providence County, Rhode Island
Listed
April 5, 1979
Type
District
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
79000057

About this property

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. 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.

Location

Central Falls, Providence County, Rhode Island
41.88776, -71.38873

Categories

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTUREARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Nearby Historic Sites

South Central Falls Historic District
Listed
0.2 mi
Greene, Benjamin F., House
Industrial
0.2 mi
Fales, David G., House
Industrial
0.3 mi
Central Falls Congregational Church
Industrial
0.3 mi
Central Street School
Industrial
0.3 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Bunker Hill – Rhode Island contingent
1775Revolutionary War
4.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower listed on the National Register?

Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 5, 1979.

What type of historic resource is Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower?

Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower?

The period of significance for Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower is recorded as the industrial era, specifically around 1890.

Can I research the history near Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower?

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