The Stone Tower

Sometimes called the "Yankee Shangri-La," Waterville Valley is a hidden gem nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Besides its ski resort, surprises await those who venture beyond its slopes and town square. While most of these are natural Easter eggs, a mountain bike path appropriately named The Stone Tower possesses one of the most unusual man-made structures in the entire state.

Is the monument the remnant of an old fortress, an ancient watchtower, or the world's largest chess rook? None of the above. It's actually a product from the curious mind of Reverend J. M. Buckley, an erudite adventurer whose travels in the Eastern Hemisphere inspired him to build a stone tower in Waterville Valley.

Why? The cities that Buckley visited on the other side of the world were homes to historical ruins and stunning castles. According to the marker in front of his monument, Buckley believed that the Waterville Valley was perfect in every way, except that it "had everything but a ruin." So, Buckley took it upon himself to gather the funds and materials to build a small yet prominent tower just north of the town, which is now a pleasant surprise for those wandering or biking in the area.