Heublein Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Heublein Tower
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| Location | Simsbury, Connecticut |
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| Area | 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | Smith and Bassette |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001260 |
| Added to NRHP | July 30, 1983 |
The Heublein Tower is a tall, historic building located in Talcott Mountain State Park in Simsbury, Connecticut. It stands 165 feet (50 meters) high and offers amazing views of the Hartford skyline, the Farmington River Valley, and the beautiful nature around it. The views are especially spectacular in the fall when the leaves change colors. This special tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, meaning it's an important historical site.
People sometimes say the name "Heublein" in different ways. The family who built it came from Germany, where it might have sounded like "HOY-blyne." After they moved to the United States, some people started saying "HY-blyne." Later, when the company was advertised on TV, the host pronounced it "HEW-blyne." So, you might hear it said in a few different ways!
Contents
History of Heublein Tower
Building a Dream Castle
The Heublein Tower was built by a man named Gilbert Heublein. He was very successful in the food and drink business. He founded a company called Heublein Inc., which made famous products like A.1. Steak Sauce and Smirnoff vodka.
One day, Gilbert was hiking on Talcott Mountain with his fiancé, Louise M. Gundlach. He promised her that he would one day build her a castle right there on the mountain. And he did!
Designing and Constructing the Tower
The Heublein Tower was designed by architects Smith and Bassette. It was built in 1914 by T. R. Fox and Son. Gilbert Heublein wanted the tower to be his summer home and a quiet place to relax. The design was inspired by buildings in Bavaria, Germany, where Mr. Heublein was from.
The tower is 165 feet (50 meters) tall and sits about 1,000 feet (305 meters) above the Farmington Valley. From the top floor, which was an observation lounge, you can see for many miles in every direction. The building was made to be very strong, able to survive winds of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). It has a strong steel frame anchored into the mountain rock. It also had the first home elevator in Connecticut!
Changing Owners Over Time
In 1943, a newspaper called The Hartford Times bought the tower. It then became known as the Times Tower. The newspaper wanted to use it for their radio station, WTHT. However, they soon found out the tower couldn't hold the heavy radio antenna.
So, for almost 20 years, the Times used the tower for parties and social events instead. It was a popular spot for gatherings!
Restoring the Tower
Today, the Heublein Tower is managed by the State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. A non-profit group called The Friends of Heublein Tower helps a lot with keeping the tower in good shape. This group started in 1985. They work hard to preserve and restore the tower and the land around it.
One of their recent projects was installing a new wooden floor in the observation room. This room was once called the ballroom when Gilbert Heublein lived there. The new floor was designed to look just like the original one.
Famous Visitors and Stories
World War I Rumors
During World War I, there were some untrue rumors about the Heublein Tower. Because of anti-German feelings at the time, some people thought Gilbert Heublein was using a spotlight on top of the tower to send secret messages to German ships. These rumors were not true. To prove it, Heublein offered the tower for use by the state and federal governments, but they didn't need it.
Important Guests at the Tower
Many famous people have visited the Heublein Tower over the years.
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who later became a president, was asked to run for president while at the tower. Prescott Bush, the father of President George H. W. Bush, was also there.
- Ronald Reagan, who also became a president, visited the tower in the 1950s. At that time, he was the president of the Screen Actors Guild, a group for actors.
- Other notable guests included Admiral Charles Nimitz, General Omar Bradley, famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, opera singer James Melton, and actress Tallulah Bankhead.
See also
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