Florida Citrus Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Florida Citrus Tower |
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The tower in 2024
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| General information | |
| Type |
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| Location | Clermont, Florida |
| Coordinates | 28°33′50″N 81°44′35″W / 28.56389°N 81.74306°W |
| Elevation | 228 feet (69.5 m) above sea level at its base |
| Completed | 1956 |
| Owner | Ralph Messer |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 500 feet (152.4 m) above sea level |
| Roof | 226 feet (68.9 m) above ground |
| Design and construction | |
| Developer | A.W.Thacker and F.J.Toole |
The Florida Citrus Tower is a tall building in Clermont, Florida. It stands about 226-foot-tall (69 m). It was built in 1956. People could visit to see the many miles of orange groves around it. It used to be a very famous landmark near Orlando.
Contents
A Look Back: The Citrus Tower's Story
The tower's construction started in 1955. It was paid for by selling shares to the public. A.W. Thacker and Jack Toole had the idea. They wanted to show off Florida's busy citrus industry. The project used a lot of concrete and steel.
Opening Day and Early Years
The tower opened on July 14, 1956. Important people from places like Silver Springs and Cypress Gardens were there. For the first few years, many people visited. Up to 500,000 visitors came each year! This was because the tower was on US 27. This road was a main route between Cypress Gardens and Silver Springs.
Changes Over Time
In 1964, Florida's Turnpike was made longer. This new road offered a faster way to travel through Central Florida. Because of this, fewer people drove past the Citrus Tower. The tower has been sold many times since then.
In the 1980s, very cold weather hit Florida. Three big freezes (in 1983, 1985, and 1989) killed most of the orange groves in Lake County. This also made fewer people want to visit the tower. In 1988, a special tram was built. It took visitors on tours to see different citrus crops.
In 1995, Greg Homan bought the tower. He had it painted white and turquoise. Then, in April 2015, the Citrus Tower was painted again. It got its original orange and white stripes back.
What You Can See and Do
The Citrus Tower has fun things for visitors.
Coin Drop
One cool feature is the coin drop. You can drop a coin and hear it fall all the way to the bottom!
Lobby Area
In the lobby, there is a large room called Valencia. This room is used for events. There is also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs. You can also visit a museum that tells the story of the tower.
Presidents Hall of Fame
Near the tower, you'll find the Presidents Hall of Fame. Here, you can see wax figures of 46 Presidents of the United States. There is also a model that shows what the inside of the White House looks like.
Gallery
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"Greetings from Citrus Tower" postcard from circa 1960
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The Citrus Tower in 2007
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The mostly unmodernized elevator of the Citrus Tower (now modernized)
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The Citrus Tower in 2015
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