| Inspiration
Tower
Inspiration
Tower is Branson's "landmark on the horizon" -- a massive
230' tall structure located  on
Inspiration Point in The Shepherd of the Hills Homestead. Constructed
and erected in 1989, the Tower's opening celebrated the 100th
anniversary of Harold Bell Wright's first visit to the area. It
weighs 3 million pounds, cost approximately $1.5 million to build,
contains over 92,000 pounds of structural steel, and can withstand
a constant wind of 172 mph or gusts of up to 224 mph! A convoy
of 43 concrete trucks filled the Tower foundation, which contains
five miles' worth of rebar weighing 34.5 tons. The Tower also
contains over 4,400 square feet of glass - enough to cover a third
of a football field!
Two
glass elevators transport visitors to the spacious, enclosed observation
deck. You can also walk a few steps down to the open-air deck.
The panoramic views available from both decks are absolutely phenomenal,
in any season. On a clear day, you can see over 90 miles. There's
also a specialty gift shop, snack bar and restrooms on the ground
level.
During
November and December, Inspiration Tower is transformed into the
Ozarks' largest Christmas tree for the Trail of Lights! The Tower
is open year-round, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April through October,
10 a.m. to midnight in November and December, and from 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. January through March.
"One of our favorite activities in Branson was visitng Inspiration
Tower. I almost skipped it because I don't like heights,
but I'm so glad the rest of my group talked me into it. The
view was spectacular, and the height didn't bother me at all
(although I wasn't brave enough to try out the open air observation). Next
time I want to be sure to enjoy the sunset from the top!"
Anna
J. Columbia, MO
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