subject: The History Of Blackpool Tower [print this page] The city of Blackpool has one landmark that sets it apart from its neighbours, Blackpool Tower. This building has long been a draw for visitors and locals of Blackpool since its construction in the late 1800s, and it continues to fascinate tourists and visitors to this day. The tower has a rich and exciting history and, in its day, was the envy of every town in England.
Blackpool tower stands an impressive 518 feet tall and is no doubt one of Blackpool's biggest and best attractions. Construction began on this building in the autumn of 1891 and only took three short years to complete, a great achievement for its architects and building supervisors, James Maxwell and Charles Tuke. Several years earlier the Mayor of Blackpool, after a visit to the Eiffel tower in France, decided that Blackpool needed an architectural triumph of its own, so he set about organising finance for the project through local Blackpool business men. The project cost 300,000, a vast amount in those days but the business men didn't seem to mind as this tower was hailed as a complete triumph on its completion and subsequently attracted plenty of new visitors from around the country who couldn't resist a visit to marvel at Blackpool's new masterpiece.
Along with the tourists, the construction of the tower also brought some much needed jobs to the area. At any one time there could be up to 200 men actively working on the structure and plenty more working away behind the scenes. On its completion visitors from across the country flocked to see the tower and paid sixpence to enter the structure and another sixpence to travel to the top platform. Once inside the tower visitors could attend the circus, which was situated at the base of the tower, or travel to one of the many entertainment platforms and hidden rooms inside.
Nowadays Blackpool Tower is used for a variety of different activities including a 3D cinema, cafes, a jungle gym and ballroom, but it still stays close to its roots with a year round circus performing at its base. To keep this magnificent spectacle looking its best it is continuously painted throughout the year, taking around seven years to paint the structure in its entirety.
Blackpool Tower is well worth a visit and with so much to see and do you may need to spend a few days to get the most out this fabulous monument. If you're heading to the town to see the tower for yourself there are plenty of Blackpool hotels and guesthouses situated close to the structure so you never have to be too far away from its spectacle and fascinating history.
