{"nrhp_refnum":"11000967","name":"Riverdale-Spuyten Duyvil-Kingsbridge Memorial Bell Tower","other_names":["Riverdale Memorial Bell Tower"],"category":"structure","location":{"address":"Riverdale Ave. at W. 239th St. & Henry Hudson Pkwy.","address_restricted":false,"city":"Bronx","county":"The Bronx","state":"NY","lat":40.89125319400006,"lon":-73.90797316999993,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"2012-01-03","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Architecture","Social History"],"significance_levels":["local"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"A 50-foot English Gothic memorial bell tower in Bell Tower Park, a triangular plot at Riverdale Avenue, West 239th Street and the Henry Hudson Parkway in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Designed in 1930 by Dwight James Baum and built by John Zambetti, it was moved about 700 feet to its present site in 1936.","why_significant":"The tower is a World War I memorial to residents of Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil and Kingsbridge, and a tangible local tribute to veterans (Criterion A, Social History). It is also a fine example of a Collegiate Gothic monument in the Bronx and is linked to the noted local architect Dwight James Baum (Criterion C). It was moved in 1936 to avoid demolition during construction of the Henry Hudson Parkway.","narrative":"Rising 50 feet at a busy junction in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, this Gothic Revival bell tower honors local residents who served in World War I. Architect Dwight James Baum designed it in 1930, and contractor John Zambetti built it of coursed rubble fieldstone with Indiana limestone details. It was dedicated on July 4, 1931. Bronze honor rolls at its base list 700 veterans from Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil and Kingsbridge, 29 of whom died in the war. Inside hangs a bronze bell cast in Spain in 1762 for a Mexican monastery. In 1936 the tower was moved about 700 feet to its present triangular park to avoid demolition during construction of the Henry Hudson Parkway. It is recognized for its role as a community war memorial, for its Collegiate Gothic design, and for its connection to Baum. A 2007 conservation effort addressed part of the exterior, and the park still hosts civic ceremonies.","period_of_significance":"1930-1936","architect_builder":"Dwight James Baum/architect; John Zambetti/builder","architectural_style":"Late 19th & 20th Century Revival / Late Gothic Revival (Collegiate Gothic)","criteria":["A","C"],"status_note":"Partially restored in 2007; the form says further masonry, gargoyle spout, door and bell electrification repairs are still needed. The bell is currently silent, and the surrounding park is used for seasonal public ceremonies.","vacant_flag":null,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.0-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 02:50:47.923656-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/11000967.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/11000967/c99c3d707c-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/11000967/c99c3d707c-1600.webp","licence":"Public domain","author":"MyName (Jim.henderson (talk))","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Riverdale_Bell_Tower_jeh.JPG\" rel=\"noopener\">MyName (Jim.henderson (talk))</a>, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Riverdale_Bell_Tower_jeh.JPG"},"district":null,"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75316515","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverdale_Monument","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14707223"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/new-york/the-bronx/riverdale-spuyten-duyvil-kingsbridge-memorial-bell-tower-11000967/"}