History's Mystery

The mysterious tower is known by many names – the Old Stone Mill, Old Stone Tower, Touro Tower or simply the Newport Tower. This rather small, inconspicuous tower has been a source of speculation, research and argument for more than two centuries. Just what is the origin of the Newport Tower?

The stone tower is circular and composed of unfinished local stones set in various types of mortar. The tower is supported by eight round columns, each seven-and-a-half feet tall, which are connected at the top by archways. The tower is approximately 26 feet tall and has no roof. At one time, the tower was at least a few feet taller. The loss of height was attributed to the possible loss of a roof.

While the outside seems plain and almost unremarkable, the inside seems to hold a treasure trove of secrets and puzzles just waiting to be solved. Above each of the eight columns is a beam hole, thought at one point to hold up a wooden floor. A few feet above this are four additional beam holes, which could have supported the second floor. Between the first and second floors are four windows, of which three are double splayed (slanted on both sides). There are five niches along the wall above the first floor, four being roughly rectangular and the fifth being very long and narrow. Although it is not known for sure what these niches were intended for, proponents of some theories think they know the answer.