In today's Lowell Sun yet another story about what to do about the historic home of Gen Ames of Ames Castle in Tewksbury. Growing up in Tewksbury we would ride up to the Castle and walk the woods around the Castle. I believe at the time it was a nursing home. I never had a chance to go into the Castle but know people that have and they tell me the interior was amazing .
Ames Hill where the Castle sits has alot of history, the native americans had an encampment there and considered the hill sacred ground and there is also a very old cemetery up there ....very creepy at night . Whatever the town of Tewksbury decides, I hope they don't tear it down to build more homes. I found a little information about the builder of Ames Castle in the' Tewksbury Town Crier', Gen Ames was no slouch .
Ames, the son of a sea captain, was born in Rockland, Maine on Oct. 31, 1835. He went to sea as a young man, and then
entered West Point in 1856. He graduated fifth in his class on May 6, 1861, less than a month after the onset of the Civil War. On graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and assigned to the Second Artillery. A week later, he was promoted to first lieutenant with the Fifth Artillery, near Washington. He drilled volunteers for two months, until ordered into the First Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. The battle was a catastrophe for the Union Army, which had hoped to end the war in one major battle. While the Union troops were giving way, Ames’ men were holding on. He was shot in the thigh early in the fighting, but insisted on staying with his men. He was able to sit astride his horse at first, commanding the troops. Later, he sat on a caisson until the regiment was forced to withdraw, whereupon he was carried away on an ammunition wagon. His bravery earned him a temporary promotion to major, and later a Congressional Medal of Honor.
I hope that the Town of Tewksbury decides to preserve it.
We must try to preserve what we can instead of trying to line our pockets all the time.
paul also grew up in tewksbury before moving to lowell remember ice fishing on ames pond with my grandfather. After buying gear at caldors he would talk about the castle every time we went.What a shame looking at it now the whole hill is almost all new homes. Back when used to be deer walking all over that hill.
ReplyDeleteYes Mike it is a shame that the Castle is in the condition it's in. It's up to the Town of Tewksbury to save it for future generations to enjoy. I also used to see alot of deer when we hungout in the woods up there. Thanks for sharing tour story.
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