Heublein Tower
Encyclopedia
The 165 feet Heublein Tower http://articles.courant.com/2008-06-13/features/words0613.art_1_bair-burr-bob-steele located in Talcott Mountain State Park
in Connecticut
(USA) provides panoramic views of the Hartford skyline and the Farmington River Valley that are particularly spectacular in the fall.
and Smirnoff Vodka; he founded Heublein Inc.
While hiking with his fiance Louise M. Gundlach on Talcott Mountain, he promised her that one day he would build her a castle there. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E3D71039F932A05752C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
The structure consists of a steel frame of 12-inch girders achored into the bedrock of the mountain ridge. The four columns in the four corners extend up to the second level and are made of reinforced concrete. A system of cross-girder braces adds strength to the shaft and cross-beams support the floors. It was also the home of the first elevator in Connecticut. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E3D71039F932A05752C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
Due to fires and other disasters, the tower has been rebuilt several times over the last several decades.
The Friends' mission is to restore for public use the Connecticut state-owned Heublein Tower landmark to its original and authentic 1914 splendor. By providing time, talent and financial assistance, the Friends of Heublein Tower supplements the state of Connecticut's efforts in restoring, improving and interpreting the Heublein Tower and its surrounding grounds. The restored Tower serves as a museum and a place of learning for the educational benefit of the public.
Most recent restoration activities include the installation of a white oak parquet floor in the observation room (known as the ballroom in Gilbert Heublein's day) designed in the same pattern as the original.
Visitors who brave the 110 steps to the observation room at the top of the Tower are rewarded with an unparalleled view of the Farmington Valley, West Hartford and the Hartford skyline.
, rumors circulated that the tower was being used to inform German ships of the location of Allied vessels. In order to stop the rumors, Heublein offered the use of the tower to the state and federal governments, both of which declined. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E3D71039F932A05752C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
Many famous people have been guests at the tower, where the Republican Party
asked General Dwight Eisenhower to run for president. This same party was also attended by Prescott Bush
, father of George H. W. Bush
. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E3D71039F932A05752C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1 Ronald Reagan
also visited the tower in the 1950s while he was president of the Screen Actors Guild
. http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325272
From 1948 to 1950, WTHT, an FM station operated by The Hartford Times
, used the tower as its antenna site.
Talcott Mountain State Park
Talcott Mountain State Park is a state park located in Bloomfield, Connecticut. The Heublein Tower, a 165 foot high lookout tower, sits atop Talcott Mountain. The Tower Trail is 1.25 miles long; a walk to the Tower takes approximately 30 – 40 minutes. Also running through the park is a section of...
in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
(USA) provides panoramic views of the Hartford skyline and the Farmington River Valley that are particularly spectacular in the fall.
Origin
Gilbert Heublein was a magnate in the area of food and beverage, most notably as manufacturer of A1 Steak SauceA1 Steak Sauce
A1 is a steak sauce and condiment for use with meat or game dishes. It was developed in the United Kingdom as a brand in the year 1831 and was later introduced to the United States by G.F...
and Smirnoff Vodka; he founded Heublein Inc.
While hiking with his fiance Louise M. Gundlach on Talcott Mountain, he promised her that one day he would build her a castle there. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E3D71039F932A05752C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
Construction
Designed by Smith and Bassette to survive 100 MPH winds, and built by T. R. Fox and Son in 1914, the Heublein Tower served as Gilbert Heublein's summer home and retreat. Smith and Bassette also designed the north and south wings of Governor's Mansion in 1916. http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?a=1724&Q=276300&PM=1 Truly an architectural marvel, Mr. Heublein modeled this structure after buildings in his native homeland of Bavaria. Standing 165 feet tall and situated 1,000 ft. above the Farmington Valley, one can see for several dozen miles in all directions from the top floor observation lounge.The structure consists of a steel frame of 12-inch girders achored into the bedrock of the mountain ridge. The four columns in the four corners extend up to the second level and are made of reinforced concrete. A system of cross-girder braces adds strength to the shaft and cross-beams support the floors. It was also the home of the first elevator in Connecticut. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E3D71039F932A05752C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
Due to fires and other disasters, the tower has been rebuilt several times over the last several decades.
Restoration efforts
The Heublein Tower is managed by the State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. Restoration and support of the Tower interior is funded in large part by the work of the non-profit organization, The Friends of Heublein Tower. The Friends' organization was established in 1985 and is dedicated to preserving and restoring the Heublein Tower and its surrounding estate.The Friends' mission is to restore for public use the Connecticut state-owned Heublein Tower landmark to its original and authentic 1914 splendor. By providing time, talent and financial assistance, the Friends of Heublein Tower supplements the state of Connecticut's efforts in restoring, improving and interpreting the Heublein Tower and its surrounding grounds. The restored Tower serves as a museum and a place of learning for the educational benefit of the public.
Most recent restoration activities include the installation of a white oak parquet floor in the observation room (known as the ballroom in Gilbert Heublein's day) designed in the same pattern as the original.
Visitors who brave the 110 steps to the observation room at the top of the Tower are rewarded with an unparalleled view of the Farmington Valley, West Hartford and the Hartford skyline.
Historical significance
Due to anti-German sentiment in the United States during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, rumors circulated that the tower was being used to inform German ships of the location of Allied vessels. In order to stop the rumors, Heublein offered the use of the tower to the state and federal governments, both of which declined. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E3D71039F932A05752C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
Many famous people have been guests at the tower, where the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
asked General Dwight Eisenhower to run for president. This same party was also attended by Prescott Bush
Prescott Bush
Prescott Sheldon Bush was a Wall Street executive banker and a United States Senator, representing Connecticut from 1952 until January 1963. He was the father of George H. W. Bush and the grandfather of George W...
, father of George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E3D71039F932A05752C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1 Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
also visited the tower in the 1950s while he was president of the Screen Actors Guild
Screen Actors Guild
The Screen Actors Guild is an American labor union representing over 200,000 film and television principal performers and background performers worldwide...
. http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325272
From 1948 to 1950, WTHT, an FM station operated by The Hartford Times
The Hartford Times
The Hartford Times was a daily afternoon newspaper serving the Hartford, Connecticut community from 1826 to 1976. Several accomplished individuals contributed to the newspaper, including Brit Hume, as a reporter; the television writer Robert Palm; the American painter, James Britton, employed as a...
, used the tower as its antenna site.