Ten Fun Facts About the Tower

By Mary Casey-Sturk

Everyone in Fort Thomas knows the “Tower”. Standing proudly at the edge of Tower Park, it is a community landmark.

Here are some fun facts about the Tower! 

1. It was known as building number 16 when it was built in 1890. (University of Kentucky fans know the number 16 is always sweet.)

2. The Tower is 102 feet tall. (That’s 6 giraffes tall!)

3. It’s made out of Kentucky limestone, with a granite base. (Limestone also provides important minerals and filters water to aid in the production of Bourbon.)

4. The cannons were captured in Havana, Cuba’s harbor during the Spanish-American War. Made in Barcelona, Spain, the date they were made is marked on them, “1768” and “1769” (Cannons typically weigh between 6,000-8,000 pounds.)

5. The plaza in front of the Tower was dedicated in 2003. It honors the 80,000 that were inducted at Fort Thomas.  (Thank you for your service.)

6. A huge flag adorns the Tower every July for the City’s Fourth of July festivities. That flag is 15’ x 20’. (Approximately as long as 1-1/2 2025 Mini Cooper 2 Door models).

7. It is a sight to see when illuminated at night. The Tower is surrounded by five lights. One on each side with two on the front to illuminate the plaque and most of the frontage on South Fort Thomas Avenue. The lights are 1,000 whopping watts each. (Incandescent light bulbs used in table lamps are about 60 watts.)

8. What is inside the tower? There was once a working standpipe, but no more. Samuel D. Shelton who is with the City of Fort Thomas shares, “To our knowledge there hasn’t been water inside of it for quite some time (decades most likely as water facilities have improved). At its peak it held 100,000 gallons of water which was enough to supply the fort.  (An average swimming pool holds 20,000 gallons of water.)

9. Who is allowed inside the tower? Shelton shares, “The tower is usually closed, but has been open during large events for people to look inside. The last time it was open was for a walking tour group for the museum. Nothing much is inside; the floor is rock and uneven in areas and the standpipe takes up much of the floor area (you can walk all the way around). If you look up, you can see along the stone walls and the standpipe where a wooden spiral staircase was located. Sadly, it had rotted away and remaining stairs I believe were removed for safety.” (I can’t wait to join the next walking tour!)

10. What does that Historical Marker say? Added in 1966 (The same year I was added to Kentucky.) The Fort Thomas Army Post Kentucky Historical Marker (Marker #986) reads: 

Established by Congress, 1887. Constructed at cost of $3,500,000 on about 111 acres, jurisdiction of which was ceded to U.S. by Kentucky Legislature, 1888. Post was designated Ft. Thomas, 1890. First commander was Col. Melville Cochran; first garrison two 6th infantry companies. Later parts of 2, 3, 4, 9, 10th Infantry Regiments were here. Now V.A. Hosp.

(Reverse) Rock of Chickamauga – Gen. George Henry Thomas for whom post was named. Born Va., 1816; West Point graduate. In Indian campaigns and Mexican War. In the Civil War, from Mill Springs, Ky., Jan. 1862, to Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 1864, he successfully led Federal forces in many principal engagements. Rated one of four top Union generals. Pacific Div. Commander at death, 1870. Over. (1966)

To learn more about the history of Tower Park and Fort Thomas, head to the Fort Thomas Military and Community Museum.