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 165-foot-tall (50 m) Heublein Tower is a historic building located in Talcott Mountain State Park in Simsbury, Connecticut, United States. From its top, you can see amazing views of the Hartford skyline, the Farmington River Valley, and the beautiful areas around it. These views are especially spectacular in the fall when the leaves change color. The tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, recognizing its importance.
You might wonder how to say "Heublein." The Heublein family came from Germany, where their name sounded like "HOY-blyne." After they moved to the United States, many people started saying "HY-blyne." Later, when the Heublein company was advertised on TV, the host pronounced it "HEW-blyne." So, there are a few ways people say it!
Contents
The Heublein Tower: A Mountain Castle's Story
How the Tower Began
Gilbert Heublein was a very successful businessman. He was known for making popular food and drink products, including A.1. Steak Sauce and Smirnoff vodka. He founded a company called Heublein Inc.
One day, while hiking on Talcott Mountain with his fiancé, Louise M. Gundlach, Gilbert Heublein made a special promise. He told her that one day he would build her a castle right there on the mountain.
Building the Tower
The Heublein Tower was designed by architects Smith and Bassette. They made sure it was strong enough to survive very powerful winds, up to 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). T. R. Fox and Son built the tower in 1914. It was meant to be Gilbert Heublein's summer home and a quiet place to relax.
Mr. Heublein designed the tower to look like buildings from his home country of Bavaria, Germany. It stands 165 feet (50 meters) tall and is located about 1,000 feet (300 meters) above the Farmington Valley. From the observation room at the top, you can see for many miles in every direction.
The tower is built with a strong steel frame, using large 12-inch (30 cm) steel beams that are anchored deep into the mountain rock. The four main corner supports on the lower levels are made of reinforced concrete. A system of strong cross-beams and girders makes the tower very stable. It also had the very first home elevator in Connecticut!
Who Owned the Tower?
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 as a broadcasting spot for their radio station, WTHT. However, they soon realized the tower couldn't hold the heavy radio antenna.
So, for almost 20 years, the Times used the tower as a place for parties and social gatherings.
Keeping the Tower Beautiful
The Heublein Tower is currently 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's inside looking good. This group started in 1985. They work hard to protect and restore the Heublein Tower and the land around it.
One of their recent projects was putting in a new floor in the observation room. This room was called the ballroom when Gilbert Heublein lived there. The new floor is made of white oak wood and has the same pattern as the original floor.
Why the Tower is Important
Tower's Role in History
During World War I, there were strong feelings against Germany in the United States. Because of this, rumors spread that Gilbert Heublein was using a spotlight on top of the tower to help German ships find Allied vessels. To stop these rumors, Heublein offered the tower for use by the state and federal governments, but both declined his offer.
Many famous people have visited the Heublein Tower over the years. The Republican Party once asked General Dwight D. Eisenhower to run for president while he was a guest there. Prescott Bush, who was the father of President George H. W. Bush, was also at this event. Ronald Reagan also visited the tower in the 1950s when he was president of the Screen Actors Guild, a group for actors. Other important guests included Admiral Charles Nimitz, General Omar Bradley, famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, opera singer James Melton, and actress Tallulah Bankhead.
See also
