The newly renovated Prospect Hill Tower was ceremoniously reopened and dedicated last week, as city officials and the general public toured the monument and enjoyed the view from above.

By Joe Ruvido

On Tuesday, September 20, residents of Somerville joined Mayor Joseph Curtatone at an opening ceremony for the newly renovated Prospect Hill Tower.

Speeches were made by the mayor, Ward 3 Alderman Robert McWatters, Somerville Historical Society president Barbara Mangum and other community members.

Refreshments and cake were served during the speeches, after which attendees climbed the steps of the renovated tower for the first time.

Mayor Curtatone, who grew up in the Prospect Hill neighborhood, spoke of the importance of public spaces and parks like the one surrounding the monument. “I grew up here in the neighborhood,” recalled the mayor, talking about how he played as a kid in the park, and warning that he “broke his arm jumping from the second tier” of the monument.

He and the other speakers thanked all those involved in the two-year project, plans for which were presented in late 2014. Long time Ward 3 resident Janine Fay helped Mayor Curtatone cut the ceremonial red ribbon. “The view is the greatest,” she remarked after the ribbon cutting, echoing the feelings of others in attendance.

The tower was renovated using funds from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) which provides funds “devoted solely to affordable housing, historic preservation, open space, and outdoor recreation projects,” according to its website. The funds are raised through 1.5% surcharge on property taxes, municipal revenue and distributions from the State’s Community Preservation Trust Fund. The upkeep and paving of the Somerville Community Path and the Milk Row Cemetery project serve as two examples of CPA funds at work.

It was hard to disagree with Fay’s assessment of the view. After winding up two spiral staircases in the tower’s main entrance the tower’s turret offers sweeping views of Charlestown and Downtown Boston to the south and east; Medford Somerville and Arlington to the North and West. It was these views that made Prospect Hill important strategically for the Colonial Army in the Revolutionary war.

Under the Command of General Israel Putnam the Colonial Rebels used the hill as a fortification and vantage point, monitoring the British troops stationed in Charlestown and Boston Harbor. According to Mangum of the Historical Society, “the British had 7 Man-of-War ships stationed in the harbor off of Charlestown that were monitored daily from the hill.”

In the 19th century, earth from the hill was used to fill in a rapidly developing Union Square. The monument itself was not constructed until the 20th century in the progressive-era push for more historical preservation. The monument was built to the height of the original hill, allowing the public to enjoy the same view the colonists had before its leveling.

One of the goals of the CPA is to get more residents informed and involved with history in their community. The Somerville Historical Society shares that same mission. History teacher Matt Campbell agrees that monuments like Prospect Tower can help teach the public about the past. “It’s quite exciting for anyone passionate about history,” said Campbell, noting that General Washington ordered the Union flag flown from the tower after the British evacuated Boston. Residents can expect the tower to be open for visiting hours starting this fall.