The Seattle Space Needle
By: Madison Schilb
Space Needle
The Space Needle attracted 2.3 million visitors and diners during the World's Fair in the 1970's. It is located in Seatle, Washington. It's also one of America's top known monuments. Not only is it a historic monument, but it has many other great, useful purposes too.
In 1959, an artist by the name of Edward E. Carlson, created a sketch of the Space Needle on a napkin. Today, the busy Space Needle is used for many purposes and open 365 days a year. The construction and building of the gigantic and beautiful monument finally took place on April 17th, 1961. It was also recently and ultimately declared a historic monument during the year of 1998.
The Space Needle was built and positioned in the wonderful city of Seatle. The well known Space Needle isn't as original as you may think, though. Many people don't know that not only was the monument based off of a napkin sketch, but another monument too. What was it's inspiration you may ask? Well... it was the Stuttgart tower in Germany. You also may not have known that although the Space Neeedle is located in the middle of a buzzing city, it happens to be only about 520 feet above sea level. Many people lended a huge helping hand and tribute into the building of the Needle, but John Graham Jr. was the architect who made the amazing building appear.
Next, the Space Needle's building development was very tough. It just happened to be the largest continuous concrete pour in all of the west! It also took about nine months to build since the starting of it on April 17th, 1961. As you may have guessed it was completed in December of the same year. The development in all cost about 4.5 million dollars.
Also, not only is the Space Needle a monument, but a gift shop and restraunt too. Inside of the Space Needle are elevators that typically travel at ten miles per hour. When riding in the elevator while it is snowing, riders will be given the sensation that the snow is rising from the ground instead of falling from the wintery blue sky. Also in the building is a restraunt named Skycity. It's a fancy and upscale restraunt where many lively events take place. The chef is the talented Jeff Maxfield. Also inside of the Space Needle are telescopes with signs that allow visitors and diners to zoom in on 50 different landmarks around the city of Seatle.
In conclusion, my monument was the amazing Seatle Space Needle. It's history began with a napkin. It's location is absolutely perfect. The building of the needle broke records and the monument has many uses and events that take place there.