DeForrest Wireless Tower
 American DeForest Wireless Tower | |
| Alternative names | Buffalo Tower |
|---|---|
| Construction Cost | (equivalent to $24,127,407 in 2021) |
The American DeForest Wireless Tower was located in the Model City and acted as a marketing focal point for the Deforest Wireless company.
Etymology
Before the Fair
Prior to the fair, the tower was located in Buffalo, New York. Due to ice buildup on the tower damaging local buildigs, the tower was sold to Deforest and re-erected at the Fair.
Description
The De Forest observation tower stood at the entrance to Orleans Plaza, 300 feet in height (including a 50 foot antenna), and was equipped with two electric elevators. Many visitors rode to the top to gain a grand view of the fairgrounds.
The wireless telegraph station on the tower was on a 100-foot platform, far above the building tops and over-looking Forest Park.
The walls of the station were made entirely of glass.
The St. Louis "Post Dispatch" and the St. Louis "Star" received regular daily news service from this station. 3000 to 5000 words per day were transmitted at a rate of 25 to 35 words per minute, detailing such World's Fair news.
After the Fair
After the fair, the tower was again dismantled and relocated to a forest for fire monitoring.
