Castle Craig

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Castle Craig was dedicated October 29th, 1900 and was given to the people of Meriden, Connecticut by Walter Hubbard. The round observation tower was built of trap rock and is 32 feet in height and 58 feet in circumference. A metal interior stairway is used to get up to the observation area on top. It stands on West Peak with an elevation of 976 feet above sea level and provides a spectacular view of the greater Meriden area.

Castle Craig is part of the 1800 acre Hubbard Park which is named after Walter Hubbard. There are hiking trails to the tower as well as a road which is open from April to October. From the top of the observation tower, at 1002' elevation, it is possible to see New Haven and Long Island Sound about 25 miles to the south. To the north, the foot hills of the Berkshires in Southern Massachusetts, vicinity of Mt. Tom, are discernible.

The inspiration for the tower’s design has been disputed for years. Some say Walter Hubbard, a world traveler, was inspired by a Norman French tower; others by a 12th Century Turkish tower on the Danube; still others maintain that it was patterned upon an ancient tower in Craigellachie, Scotland.

[edit] Dedication of Tower

On October 29, 1900 dedicatory exercises were held at which Mr. Hubbard formally presented the Tower to the City of Meriden. According to a paper, “a large number of members of the Court of Common Council, together with other dignitaries attended an oyster roast in the shadow of the Tower. Westbound trolleys were crowded with citizens who used this form of transportation to bring them to the park area from where they had a long, arduous trek, on foot, to the Tower.

There were also a number of persons who drove to the top of the mountain in their own carriages. At two o’clock, it was estimated that approximately 250 guests were in attendance. Their genial host, Mr. Hubbard, had provided six barrels of clams. These were roasted over a big fire under the direction of C.W.F. Pardee of the Winthrop Hotel and P.J. Quigley, a local contractor, with the assistance of twelve men.

“The Tower itself was the center of attraction and nearly everyone had something to say concerning the beautiful scenery and Mr. Hubbard’s benevolence. During the afternoon, several group photographs were taken. Three cheers were given to Mr. Hubbard by the visitors. They were called for by Judge Wilbur F. Davis, who acclaimed Mr. Hubbard as the “first citizen of Meriden”.

“A large flag was raised on the tower at noon by Contractor Quigley and as it floated to the breeze three rousing cheers were given.”