By Tim Brady // 6 Comments
One of the unique stops along the Retreat Trails is the Retreat Tower. This tower was built by the patients of the Vermont Asylum (now the Brattleboro Retreat) in 1887. At the time, doctors believed that hard, meaningful labor could help mental patients regain their stability. So a group of patients was put to work building this large stone tower, as a scenic overlook of the Asylum grounds.
While I’m sure that the doctors had the best of intentions, some patients chose to use the tower in a different manner. In the years following its construction, according to the book “Weird New England” a fair number of patients climbed to the top of the tower and hurled themselves off of it onto the rocky cliff below. While the number of suicides at this site is a closely guarded secret, the tower was sealed off and remains so today.
For those looking for the haunted side of Brattleboro, ghost hunters report sightings of an airborne human-like form at the top of the tower that appears briefly and then disappears into space.
You can find the tower off of the “Tower Climb” trail on the Retreat Trail system. It’s a fairly easy 10 – 15 minute walk from our Inn. The tower is visible from the Retreat Meadows and a lot of the north side of Brattleboro as well – particularly in the winter and fall as the trees clear.
The tower opens to the public typically just one or two times per year. The dates are not consistent, but you can certainly keep an eye on our twitter feed to know when it opens – as we will definitely be there.
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Abigail
1 year ago
I heard they don’t open it to the public anymore because people kept jumping off.
Tonya
1 year ago
Was wondering the directions to be able to take some decent pictures of the tower. Have lived in New Hampshire for a year now. Looked up at the side of the hill and noticed it when all the leafs were off the trees. If anyone could give me decent directions to find the place that would be highly appreciated. Like i said would love to have pictures of it. Thanks
Tim Brady
1 year ago
Hi Tonya – check out the retreat trail map on our other post. It’s an easy hike up from the Brattleboro Retreat. Thanks for reading our post and writing – please share your photos with us here or on our Inns Facebook page!
david L
11 months ago
i have been to the top with my brothers when we were small my dad brought us and hung us over the sides lol it was fun! i didnt think they opend it any more but would love to bring my boys up tho i promise i wont hang them over the sides lol! its a must see if ur visiting brattleboro!
Steve C.
5 months ago
Does anyone know what the structure above the cemetery is? I’ve heard it called Frankinstein’s house but it does not appear to be a house. It’s very spooky looking for sure.
sunder
2 months ago
The structure above the cemetery is a large, low brick building that covers a huge cistern. You can hear the water dripping inside. Freaked me out many times as a child, we used to climb around the outside, there was some kind of walkway around it. Gives me the creeps just thinking about it.