If you’ve lived in San Antonio long enough, you’ve probably visited the Tower of the Americas, whether on a school field trip, playing tourist with out-of-town visitors, or attending one of its many events. Known to locals as “The Tower,” this iconic Alamo City landmark lies on the far edge of Hemisfair near the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures.
Here are a few fast facts about the tower:
- The Tower weighs 80 million pounds.
- There are 952 steps to get to the top.
- The concrete shaft in the center is 45 feet in diameter and is 605 feet tall.
- Its three elevators can carry 1,950 passengers per hour.
A brief history
Designed by architect O’Neil Ford, his plan featured a steel and concrete shaft with a multilevel “tophouse.” Why was the tower built? In celebration of the Hemisfair World’s Fair in 1968, this tower was erected to honor of San Antonio’s 250th anniversary. The creation of the tower began in 1966 and was completed in 18 months. Check out the full construction timeline.
Fun fact: The HemisFair Executive Committee held a tower naming contest in 1966.
Today’s tower
The Tower is the tallest observation tower in Texas. It was once the tallest in the US from 1968 until 1996 when it was surpassed by the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas.
Today’s tower now features:
- Revolving Chart House Restaurant
- An indoor and outdoor observation deck
- A cafe and gift shop
- 4D theatre show titled, “Skies Over Texas”
