At Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, you’ll come across a 47-foot-tall watch tower that dates back to the 1850s. This unique structure stands as a reminder of New York City’s efforts to combat fires in the mid-1800s.
Fire Watchtower System in the Mid-1800s
In the mid-1800s, NYC set up a fire watchtower system to combat fires throughout the city. Volunteers would climb to the top of these towers around the clock to keep an eye out for any fires. If a fire was spotted, they would ring a bell to alert the authorities.
The Establishment of the Mount Morris Fire Watch Tower
In 1856, the Mount Morris fire watch tower went into service at the request of Harlem residents. Unlike most watch towers that were made of wood, this one was built with cast iron, making it more durable and distinctive. It was one of 11 cast iron fire watch towers installed across the city.
The Decline of Fire Watch Towers
By the 1870s, technological advances rendered fire watch towers obsolete. As a result, most of these towers were eventually destroyed. However, the Mount Morris fire watch tower survived, standing as the last remaining one from the original system.
Preservation and Renovation
The Mount Morris fire watch tower was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It underwent renovations in 2014 and was reopened to visitors in 2019. While it no longer serves its original purpose as a fire watch tower, it still stands proudly 165 years later, serving as a piece of New York City’s rich history.
It’s fascinating to see how this historical structure has withstood the test of time.