The Tower of the Americas

While today the Tower of the Americas is one of the prime tourist destinations in the city of San Antonio, it has a little over a 50 year history of looking after downtown and beyond. That history began in 1966 with it's conception and the beginning of it's construction. Since then it has been an attraction for anyone visiting San Antonio, and has made sure to tell the story of Texas and it's own history.

The year is 1968, and you're standing in the heart of downtown San Antonio. It's cold outside as you look up at a gigantic limestone structure extending over 600 feet high. They have yet to put an elevator, much less the final cake-top like headpiece on this tower. Having been under construction for about two years now, it fills you with wonder to see it nearly finished in time for the HemisFair in a few months. Everyone in the city is talking about how excited they are for this huge, international expo that will showcase some of the most modern innovations of the time.

While Tower of the Americas was one of these innovations that has since lasted the test of time, the HemisFair as a whole was one well-thought out blend of "urban renewal and conservation of history.(Minner, J 2019)" So what was HemisFair? Well, the people wanted to showcase technological achievements while also looking back on how far the city has come in it's over two hundred year history. This includes the six countries who have had claim over Texas in one form or another, along with Texas' place in historical events.

According to Jack Trawick in an interview, and despite the visible, monstrous height of the structure, there were still criticisms that claimed it "could have been so much more imaginative and modern.(Macmillan 1979)" Looking at it now, and upon my recent visit to the Tower, it seems unlikely that could have been the case. In the sense of HemisFair, the Tower was sort of a gem in the "little jewel box" that was HemisFair. Over 600 feet of limestone, steel, and a slowly spinning top that lets you see as much of San Antonio as you can.

Upon first entry into the Willy Wonka- like elevator, you wouldn't notice that one wall is completely made of a plexiglass. As it takes you higher and higher into the air, the glass allows you to see even more of downtown San Antonio and even beyond. The cars start to look like model toys and the highways are the tracks, leading each little car to their destination. For you, the destination is seconds away. When you arrive at the top, there is an enclosed viewing area with a few attractions like a seated eating area, another small coffee bar, and several arcade games. With just a few steps too, you can be outside on a safe observation deck, feeling the winds of San Antonio blow through the tower.

Though the overall reception of the Tower was overwhelmingly positive, these kids of threats did sprout controversy. There became a cloud of uncertainty that came over the city as HemisFair inched closer that something would happen, but ultimately it turned out to be not that bad.

The Tower was a centerpiece of the Hemisfair, and in that, it was quite the expensive project that would tower over the event and beyond for all the world to know. It was so new that-according to an interview done with Jack Trawick about the Tower's history- there had been a fire on opening day along with a "number of occasions during the Fair where there were reported bomb threats.(Macmillan 1979)"

Something that was also interesting, not necessarily controversial but more unfortunate, is that alongside the tower had been a woman's pavilion built to tell "the exciting story of the contributions of women in the Americas." Although this pavilion was built as a unique blend of the women and culture of north and central America, it became "a graffiti-marked shell tucked in the shadow of the Tower of the Americas.(Jones 2016)" Since the fair in '68, it is unfortunate that this Women's Pavilion has gone on to be forgotten while to Tower still stands tall, despite being made with good intentions. It could have been great.

Another bump in the road that occurred along the way, that was almost unavoidable, was the monetary aspect of the tower and how the city was going to end up paying for it. According to Trawick, the moment he arrived at the tower he was bomb-shelled with the statement that his name was "down for ten thousand dollars, and we expect to have the check today, (Trawick 1997") which says a lot about how much it cost overall. That would end up being over five million dollars. This bidding process, originally delayed by Congressman Henry B Gonzalez, "forced the Executive Committee of HemisFair '68 to put the tower project out for rebid late in the summer of 1966," which ended up about $360,000 more than what was originally bid.

When it comes to constructing a structure like the ToA, it never comes without bumps in the road, or long term effects that may not be for the better. Regardless, it still holds up today and offers recreation and education on the history of Texas and the many cultures that resonate in the state today.

One of the most informative features of the Tower would have to be a display encircling the inner portions of the walkway with moments, people, and places that have contributed to Texas History.

As mentioned before, and in an article by Jennifer Minner, a main theme of HemisFair was a celebration of "of local identities rooted in Spanish Colonial and Mexican cultural heritage.(Minner 2019)" While these three identities did come from massive cultures that heavily influenced Texas culture today, there were six countries that each had claim to Texas at some point.

As I walked around the circle of the top of the tower, I found myself reading about the details of Texas and its history, specifically through sections dedicated to each country. From the flags flown to domestic affairs within Texas, the details were down to the month about each country's influence on Texas culture. Within the map below are bubbles containing a brief description and images from the gallery of Texas History within the top of the Tower.

From the earliest Spanish conquistadors and their clash with French incursions to the chain of events following Texas declaring independence, joining the Union, seceding with the Confederacy, and to today as a part of the United States of America, the entire 300 year history of Texas lies wrapped around for thousands of people to see every day. It highlights achievements too from the moment Texas became a part of the US to present day, such as the first black woman of color elected to the Texas Senate in 1966: Barbra Jordan (Figure 4).

As we look back on the history of Texas and the borderlands, it's interesting to observe that this state has a coalition of cultures from the countries who have laid claim in the past. It's very unifying to think of in hindsight, how the state is one of the most diverse in the nation. While exploring the Tower of the Americas and it's observation deck, I couldn't help but think of this and how it had been built to bring so many people together.

According to a book called Images of America: Downtown San Antonio, the story of the Tower began on December 22, 1966, when "The city council approved a contract for the construction of a 622 foot tall tower for HemisFair 1968," which clocked in around $5.5 million to build. Just a few months before the Fair, the top of the tower was completed.

Going back to the interview with Tom Berg, he had mentioned that he visited the site during the last few months of construction along with Mayor McAllister, and ended up staying to help "to straighten out the organization and get it built on time.(Berg 1997)" Because of overseers like him, and hundreds of workers, the structure was completed in time for the Fair.

The actual fair had gone on to be something of great significance in San Antonio History. With the Tower of the Americas as the centerpiece of the event, different people from all over the world came to see it and experience the fair for themselves. In Images of America, it's mentioned that the fair was additionally a birthday celebration for San Antonio, marking 250 years for the city. There had been around "Six and a half million people from around the world attended the celebration of the many ethnic groups that settled in the western hemisphere" in the city through its six-month long run (Korte & Peche 100).

The park extends across 92.6 acres below the Tower, and during Hemisfair is when over 92 countries participated in the innovative expo. They brought in not just the cultures from not just the ones who used to have claim on Texas, but many more as well. There were also other recreational activities at the Fair, specifically surrounding the Tower. Not only did it have the observation deck and restaurant, but it was "surrounded by a monorail, a sky-ride, water park and other amusements.(UTSA 2020)" The focus on the Tower as publicity for HemisFair went so far as to create a naming contest for what it should be officially called. Names ranged from "Cloudlift" to "Wineglass of Friendship'' and even "Purple Peeple Steeple" (UTSA 2020). While those were all good fun, the city did end up with the iconic name "The Tower of the Americas."

In it's 50 years since HemisFair, the tower has also been present and in the backdrop of countless events in San Antonio. From the Rodeo to the Carnival to conventions of it's next door neighbor. It still soars over bustles of people- whether they visit or while on their commute. It's inclusion of Texas history and how far we have come is a message of positivity and reassurance. May it continue to shine over San Antonio for many more years.