O'Hara's Tower

O'Hara's Tower
O'Hara's Folly
Part of Fortifications of Gibraltar
Upper Rock Nature Reserve, Gibraltar
1865 Model of Gibraltar depicting O'Hara's Tower at top left.
O'Hara's Tower is located in Gibraltar
O'Hara's Tower
O'Hara's Tower
Coordinates36°07′26″N 5°20′34″W / 36.123845°N 5.342880°W / 36.123845; -5.342880
TypeWatchtower
Site history
Built1787-1791
MaterialsStone, Iron
Demolished1888

O'Hara's Tower was a watchtower in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. It was located at the highest point of the Rock of Gibraltar, at what is now O'Hara's Battery, near the southern end of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve.

Initially known as St. George's Tower, it was constructed in the late 18th century on the order of then Lieutenant Governor Charles O'Hara, under the presumption that it would be useful in observing the enemy at the Port of Cadiz.

Not only was it unsuccessful; it was struck by lightning shortly after it was built, and remained in ruins for much of the 19th century until its demolition in 1888. Formerly referred to as St. George's Tower, it came to be known as O'Hara's Tower or, frequently, O'Hara's Folly.[1][2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference monthly was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "The People of Gibraltar - 1794 - A Motley Population". Neville Chipulina. Retrieved 21 October 2012.

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