Riverdale-Spuyten Duyvil-Kingsbridge Memorial Bell Tower
Also known as: Riverdale Memorial Bell Tower
Why it's listed
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.
Significance in brief: 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.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 11000967, listed January 3, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Riverdale Ave. at W. 239th St. & Henry Hudson Pkwy., Bronx |
|---|---|
| County | The Bronx |
| Listed | January 3, 2012 |
| Reference number | 11000967 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| 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 |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | 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. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.89125, -73.90797 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 11000967.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14707223
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.