| Latting Observatory | |
|---|---|
 Latting Observatory in 1853. The edge of the New York Crystal Palace can be seen at right. | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Manhattan, New York City |
| Opened | 1853 |
| Demolished | 1856 |
| Height | 315 feet (96 m) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | William Naugle |
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 east into Queens, south into Staten Island, and west into New Jersey.[1] 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 was shortened in 1855. The tower's base was a 75-foot (23 m) square, tapering to a top of 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m). It could handle up to 1,500 people at a time.[2] It burned down in 1856.
The Latting Observatory was an inspiration for the Eiffel Tower.[3]
- ^ Pollak, Michael. "F.Y.I.: Over the Bounding Pond", The New York Times, August 28, 2005. Accessed May 18, 2009.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
NYT1856was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "New York "Eiffel" Tower of 1853". Engineering News and American Railway Journal. G. H. Frost. November 23, 1889. p. 482.