Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Witch Tower is a unique and enchanting architectural landmark that holds a significant historical and cultural value for the city. Also known as the Witch's Hat Tower, this picturesque structure stands atop Prospect Park and grants visitors with panoramic views of the surrounding area. Built in 1913 as a water tower, the Witch Tower was designed by Frederick William Cappelen and aligns with the English medieval architectural style. The tower owes its nickname to its distinct shape, reminiscent of a witch's hat or a pointed wizard's hat. Standing at a height of 110 feet, the tower features a prominent conical roof, elaborate stone masonry, and a mesmerizing turret-like appearance. Over the years, the Witch Tower has become an iconic symbol of the Prospect Park neighborhood, captivating locals and tourists alike.
The Witch's Hat Water TOWER
As of April, 15, 2023, the Friends of Tower Hill Park (FOTHP), held a community meeting to initiate action to work with the City of Minneapolis that owns the Tower to repair the entry door and begin steps to re-open the Tower. FOTHP is a non-profit organized to protect the views of and from the Prospect Park Neighborhood's Witch's Hat Tower, and to protect, preserve and maintain the beauty and character of the surrounding park, known as Tower Hill Park.
Like all parks in Minneapolis, Tower Hill Park is managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Visit their website www.minneapolisparks.org to reserve the park for a special occasion.
The "Witch's Hat" water tower is in Prospect Park, (known as Tower Hill Park), the highest natural land area in the city of Minneapolis. Along with the Kenwood and Washburn water towers in Minneapolis, the Prospect Park water tower is one of the few original water towers standing today in the Twin Cities area.
The 110-foot Prospect Park Water Tower was built in 1913 with a holding capacity of 150,000 gallons. It was also built to be a bandstand; however, there was only one concert in the band shell because the musicians experienced difficulty in carrying their instruments up the inside spiral staircase of 101+16 steps. Up until Minneapolis Wi-Fi was deployed in 2010, it housed active city first-responder telecommunications equipment in the roof.
Up until the COVID-19 pandemic, the tower observation deck was open one time per year only, during the annual Pratt School Ice Cream Social. This event occurred on the Friday evening after Memorial Day Weekend - either the last Friday in May or first Friday in June), 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. In recent years we typically served nearly 2000 visitors (up from 600 - 800 before 2014), limiting the number of people in the tower to 80 at a time by means of a fixed number of passcards (not tickets).
Over the years, the Witch Tower has become an iconic symbol of the Prospect Park neighborhood, captivating locals and tourists alike. It has been featured in various artistic renderings, photographs, and even inspired the naming of local businesses. The tower serves as a gathering spot for community events and festivals, adding to its charm and significance within the area.
recent history of the Tower
In 1986 the tower underwent major renovation for its preservation. An article in Southeast Newspaper, November, 1986, Volume 12, Number 8 by Bob Dull, described the project slated for completion in December. Much of the wooden roof underneath the tiles had rotted. The deteriorating roof would be repaired, and 10% of the roof tiles would be replaced; new ceramic green tiles would be manufactured in the original patterns. At the time, each new tile cost $13.85. The result was an estimated new life of another 100 years.
As part of the NRP process begun in 1994, a systematic effort on a weekly basis was made by neighborhood volunteers, particularly Joe Ring, to obliterate graffiti on the tower's base. Further restoration of the base was performed as part of the process to list the Tower on the National Register of Historic places.
In 1997 the Tower and Tower Hill Park were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. A historic plaque was added in 1997 to the base of the Tower, which has helped reduce graffiti. See a small gallery of tower pictures.
In 2013 & 2014 our neighborhood celebrated Tower centennials.
In addition to its architectural allure, the Witch Tower has an intriguing historical background. Originally constructed to hold water for firefighting purposes, the tower underwent various modifications and updates throughout the years. Today, it is considered a non-functional structure, no longer serving its initial purpose but still standing as a beloved landmark. Visitors can make their way to the Witch Tower by following the trails in Prospect Park or driving to the nearby parking areas. Once there, they can appreciate the tower's impressive craftsmanship, take memorable photographs, or simply enjoy the breathtaking views it offers of the Minneapolis skyline and beyond. Overall, the Witch Tower in Minneapolis embodies both architectural beauty and historical importance. It stands as a testament to the city's rich heritage and serves as a beloved icon for the local community. Whether admired from afar or explored up close, this distinctive structure captivates all who encounter it, adding magic and wonder to the Minneapolis landscape..
Reviews for "Mysterious Tales of Witch Tower: Minneapolis' Haunted History"
1. Emily - 2/5
I was really excited to visit the Witch Tower in Minneapolis as I had heard great things about it. However, I was quite disappointed with my experience. Firstly, the tower itself was quite small and underwhelming. I expected it to be higher and more grandiose. Additionally, the staff at the tower were not very welcoming or informative. I felt like I was bothering them with my questions. Overall, I found the Witch Tower to be overhyped and not worth the visit.
2. Daniel - 3/5
I had mixed feelings about the Witch Tower in Minneapolis. While the architecture was interesting and the history behind it was fascinating, I found the overall experience to be lacking. The interior of the tower was poorly lit and the signage was inadequate, making it difficult to fully appreciate the exhibits. Furthermore, the ticket prices were quite high for what was on offer. Overall, I think the Witch Tower has potential but needs some improvements to enhance the visitor experience.
3. Jennifer - 2/5
My visit to the Witch Tower in Minneapolis was rather disappointing. The tower itself was not well-maintained and appeared dirty and neglected. Inside, there was very little to see or learn about. It seemed like the exhibits were outdated and in need of updating. Additionally, the staff seemed uninterested and lacked knowledge about the tower's history. I would not recommend visiting the Witch Tower unless significant improvements are made to the overall experience.