Latting Observatory
in New York, United StatesCategory: Attraction
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West Presbyterian Church, New York, NY 10018, USA Print route »
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The Latting Observatory was a wooden tower in New York City built as part of the 1853 Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, adjoining the New York Crystal Palace. It was located on the North side of 42nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue across the street from the site of present-day Bryant Park. Conceived by Waring Latting and designed by architect William Naugle, the observatory was an octagonally-based, iron-braced wooden tower 315 feet (96 m) high adjoining the Crystal Palace, with landings at three levels on the structure, allowing visitors to see into Queens, Staten Island and New Jersey. The tower, taller than the spire of Trinity Church at 290 feet (88 m), was the tallest structure in New York City from the time it was constructed in 1853 until it burned down in 1856. The tower's base was a 75-foot square, tapering to a top of six to eight feet. It could handle up to 1,500 people at a time.The Latting Observatory was an inspiration for the Eiffel Tower.
