Newport Tower - Newport, Rhode Island
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 41° 29.150 W 071° 18.597
19T E 307156 N 4595267
The Newport Tower is located in Truro Park at Mill Street and Bellevue Ave. in Newport, RI.
Waymark Code: WM10M4B
Location: Rhode Island, United States
Date Posted: 05/26/2019
Views: 4
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There has been much speculation about the origin of the Newport Tower. Some believe it is evidence of pre-Columbian visits by Vikings, the Portuguese, the Knights Templar, or even the Chinese. In 1993 carbon-14 dating of the oldest mortar of the Tower indicated a date of 1635 and 1698. Newport was settled by the followers of Roger Williams in 1636 and was incorporated as a town in 1639. The C-14 evidence is consistent with the Tower being constructed in the colonial era.
The best information is that the 28' high by 24' diameter stone Tower is the remains of a windmill. Benedict Arnold (December 21, 1615 – June 19, 1678), the first colonial governor of Rhode Island, mentions "my stone built Wind Mill" in his will. The Tower is located near his grave and the site his now demolished mansion.