Jenny Lind Tower

A mysterious granite tower with a big Boston backstory

InsideCape Cod National Seashore

Overview

A medieval-looking stone rook rising from scrub oak near the former North Truro Air Force Station, the Jenny Lind Tower is one of the Seashore’s oddest sights. About 70 feet tall and built of massive cut granite, it sits within the Truro Highlands Historic District, not far from Highland Lighthouse and the prominent radar dome. Expect to view it from a distance rather than explore inside.

How It Got Here

This tower began life as part of Boston’s Fitchburg Railroad Depot (1848). After a 1925 fire and the depot’s demolition, Boston lawyer Henry M. Aldrich bought one of the stone turrets and had it moved and rebuilt on his Truro property in 1927. His family even climbed it to watch the 1932 solar eclipse. The land later became part of Cape Cod National Seashore.

Legend vs. Reality

The legend says Jenny Lind—the “Swedish Nightingale”—sang from a depot tower in October 1850 to calm an angry crowd. The record: she did perform at the depot and things got chaotic, but contemporary accounts don’t confirm any balcony serenade. Other tales shift the free outdoor performance to Framingham. On the Cape, local lore adds ghost stories, but treat them as folklore, not history.

How to See It

Best viewing: from Highland Links Golf Course (be courteous to golfers) and the Highland Lighthouse area—look south/southwest.
Access: there’s no official, signed NPS trail to the base. Some visitors use informal footpaths from Old Dewline Road near the Payomet/Highland Center area; conditions and closures change, and parts may be posted. Obey all signage and stay on established paths.
On-site reality: thick scrub oak surrounds the tower, the masonry is old, and climbing/entering isn’t an option.

Practicalities

Facilities: none at the tower—no restrooms, signage, or services.
Parking: no dedicated lot. Use legal parking at Highland Light or other clearly designated lots; don’t block Old Dewline Road or gates.
Terrain & hazards: sandy, rooty footpaths with poison ivy and ticks—long pants and repellent help.

Photo Tips

Late afternoon light gives the stone more texture, and visibility improves when leaves are down. A 70–200mm (or longer) lens frames the tower nicely from Highland Links and lighthouse viewpoints.

Pair It With

Make this a quick add-on to Highland Lighthouse and the nearby Highland House Museum, or a stroll around the Highland Center area for broader context on this quirky corner of the Outer Cape.

Best Time to Visit

Weekdays and shoulder season are quieter. Aim for late afternoon for warmer light; winter through early spring offers clearer sightlines when the scrub isn’t leafed out.

Pros

Striking crenellated granite tower with a colorful Jenny Lind backstory
Easy to spot and photograph from Highland Links and the Highland Light area

Cons

No official trail; thick scrub makes close access tricky
No facilities or dedicated parking; interior is closed/unsafe to climb

Tips

Best views are from Highland Links or near Highland Light—look south/southwest.
For a closer peek, start on Old Dewline Road and follow the middle path along the fence only if open and signed as allowed.
Wear long pants and bring bug repellent; ticks and poison ivy are common.
A 70–200mm telephoto lens works well for framing the tower from afar.
Park legally at Highland Light or other posted lots and avoid blocking gates.