World's Wonder View Tower facts for kids
The World's Wonder View Tower was a unique place in Genoa, Colorado. It was a special kind of roadside attraction, built to catch the eye of travelers driving by. People would stop to see its unusual sights and explore its museum.
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What Was the World's Wonder View Tower?
The tower was built in the mid-1920s. A man named C.W. Gregory and his partner Myrtle Le Bow created it. Gregory was sometimes called Colorado's P.T. Barnum. P.T. Barnum was famous for creating exciting and sometimes strange shows and attractions.
A Tower with a View
The tower stands 65 feet (about 20 meters) tall. From the very top, its creators claimed you could see six different states! These states were Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, New Mexico, and South Dakota.
In 1934, it was even confirmed that the spot where the tower was built was the highest point between New York and Denver. This made the view even more special.
A Museum of Wonders
Inside the tower, there was a museum and a vintage shop. It was filled with many strange and interesting items. Some of the most famous things included a two-headed calf and an eight-legged pig. There were also more than 50,000 different kinds of glass bottles!
The museum also showed off items from the old American West. These included historic tools and weapons. You could also see Native American arrowheads and other artifacts. Plus, there were fossils, which are remains of ancient life.
The Tower's Closure
The World's Wonder View Tower is now closed. The last owner passed away, and the tower could no longer stay open. All the amazing items inside were sold at a public auction on September 20, 2014. Even though it's closed, the tower remains a memorable part of Colorado's history.
