How about we ascend to High Rock, a place where history and panoramic views intertwine? Standing 170 feet above sea level, High Rock offers unobstructed views of Boston, Nahant, and Swampscott. It is less than three-quarters of a mile from the ocean.
Local historians say that Native Americans and early settlers used this summit as a lookout point. High Rock’s major fame began in the mid-nineteenth century. Then, people appreciated the porphyry outcroppings for their romantic qualities.
In the 1840s, Jesse Hutchinson purchased five and one-half acres. He and his family built two Gothic cottages, an auditorium, and an observation tower. The Hutchinson Family Singers were deeply involved in temperance, abolition, and women’s movements. Their property, including High Rock Stone Cottage and Daisy Cottage, appeared in many nineteenth-century illustrations.
Jesse Hutchinson wanted High Rock to be open to the public. He envisioned it as an Institute of Advanced Thought. The family held nightly concerts and rallies during the Civil War. Sadly, the original tower fell into disrepair. Vandals burned it down after the Fall of Richmond in 1865.
The city purchased additional land in 1904 and created High Rock Reservation. This is now one of Lynn’s oldest parks. In 1905, the city constructed the current High Rock Tower. H.K. Wheeler and Charles Betton designed it. The tower is made of granite and sits atop an outcrop of porphyry.
High Rock Tower is featured on the Lynn city seal. It was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1979. The Trust for Public Land protected the surrounding lands. These lands were conveyed to the City of Lynn in 1988.
The 85-foot stone, Romanesque-style High Rock Tower, was commissioned in 1905. The city periodically opens the tower and observatory to the public. Visitors can use the telescope for free. They can view galaxies, star clusters, planets, and the moon’s surface.
In 1998, High Rock Tower was restored with a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. A new astronomical observatory replaced the original one. From April to December 1906, 50,000 people visited High Rock Tower. Today, while the tower is often closed, the base remains open. Visitors still come here to enjoy the views.
From High Rock, you might spot Egg Rock in Nahant Bay. This island was once the site of a lighthouse. Now, the state owns it as a bird sanctuary. Sylvia Plath featured Egg Rock in her poem “Suicide off Egg Rock” and her novel, The Bell Jar.
High Rock stands as a testament to history, nature, and community. It offers a unique vantage point. Here, you can reflect on the past and gaze at the future.