The tower was built away from route nine towards the river, to give viewers in the tower an unobstructed view of most of the four mile stretch of the Hudson. In particular Winslow used the tower to point out to prospective investors in the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge its probable location. Houses in the far distance are along the western shore of the river.

photos by Donald McTernan, who worked for the National Park Service. When he discovered the mansion was to be demolished, he rushed down to take photos. He donated copies of his photos to the Marist College Archives in February 2013.