Younger residents, newcomers and visitors over the past four decades know the Vicksburg Military Park only from ground level, as a rather densely wooded stretch of monuments and artifacts.

For more than 50 years, however, park visitors could get a bird’s-eye-view of the park and its terrain via one of three observation towers, once Vicksburg landmarks, the first of which was reduced to rubble 40 years ago last week.

&#8220Literally millions” of people ascended the winding steps of the towers over the decades, said park historian Terry Winschel, visitors and residents alike. Even after falling victim to age and neglect, the towers became a well-known destination for playful kids, mischievous high schoolers and weekend family outings.

&#8220They were quite a familiar landmark,” said Winschel. &#8220A lot of people were engaged on those towers. There was a personal attachment to them.”

The first tower was begun at Logan Circle in 1907, with a second following on Confederate Avenue east of Fort Hill in 1908, before the first tower was completed. Plans for the third tower, on the lines of Reynolds’ brigade on Confederate Avenue, were made in 1909. All three towers, constructed in five &#8220wedding cake” tiers supported by large Corinthian columns, were completed by the end of 1910, at a