Heublein Tower

The 165-foot-tall (50 m) Heublein Tower (pronounced "HIGH-bline") located in Talcott Mountain State Park in Connecticut (USA) provides panoramic views of the Hartford skyline and the Farmington River Valley that are particularly spectacular in the fall. Gilbert Heublein was a magnate in the area of food and beverage, most notably as manufacturer of A1 Steak Sauce and Smirnoff Vodka; he founded Heublein Inc. While hiking with his fiance Louise M. Gundlach on Talcott Mountain, he promised her that one day he would build her a castle there. Designed by Smith and Bassette to survive 100 MPH winds, and built by T. R. Fox and Son in 1914, the Heublein Tower served as Gilbert Heublein's summer home and retreat. Smith and Bassette also designed the north and south wings of Governor's Mansion in 1916. Truly an architectural marvel, Mr. Heublein modeled this structure after buildings in his native homeland of Bavaria. Standing 165 feet tall and situated 1,000 ft. above the Farmington Valley, one can see for several dozen miles in all directions from the top floor observation lounge.