Gettysburg Greg
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2010
- Location
- Decatur, Illinois
Yesterday I posted a 1909 photograph of the Round Tops that included the Big Round Top observation tower. Since there were some comments related to the tower, I thought I would follow up with a bit more information along with some related images. The tower was constructed in 1895 when the view was far more open than what we see from the summit today. Interestingly, the tower was originally intended to be replaced in 1938 by the Gettysburg Peace Memorial that included the eternal flame which was eventually located on Oak Hill. Due to lack of use, the tower was disassembled in 1968 and the site was declared a historic ruin in 2004.
Here are three related images that you may find interesting. The first is an early 20th century view from the tower looking to the north. Little Round Top is on the right and Houck's Ridge to the left. The second image is a then and now that shows the summit of BRT before and after the tower and the final photograph is focused on the stone support for the tower as it appeared while the tower was standing compared to what remains today.
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