Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower

Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
File:Cogswell Tower, Central Falls RI.jpg
Cogswell Tower
Location	Central Falls, Rhode Island
Coordinates
Area	5 acres (2.0 ha)
Built	1890
Architect	Humes, Albert H.
Architectural style	No Style Listed
MPS	Central Falls MRA (AD)
NRHP Reference #	79000057
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. 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. Peirce'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.

• Cogswell Tower Central Falls RI.jpg

  Another view of the tower

• Jenks Park plaque.jpg

  NRHP plaque in the park

• Jenks Park entry gate 2013.jpg

  Entry gate to Jenks Park

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Providence County, Rhode Island