Cordova Tower

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Coordinates: 41°25′23″N 93°05′18″W / 41.42319°N 93.08826°W / 41.42319; -93.08826

Cordova Tower in Marion County, Iowa

Cordova Tower is an observation tower located in Cordova Park in Marion County, Iowa. The tower is seated on the north side of Lake Red Rock. The tower is essentially equidistant from the four Marion County towns of Pella, Knoxville, Monroe and Otley. The tower features the world's longest and tallest continuous set of fiberglass stairs,^{[citation needed]} ascending from the ground to the observation deck built atop a converted 100 ft by 15 ft standpipe water tower. The structure stands 106 feet (32 m) tall.^[1] The tower, completed in 1998, has views of the Des Moines River valley.

History[]

In 1972, a 130,000-gallon water tower was constructed to provide water to the area. The tower was disused in 1984 when rural water was introduced to the area.

In 1998, the Marion County Conservation Board decided to convert the defunct water tower into an observation tower as part of its development plan for Cordova Park. Construction began in July of 1998 and the tower was completed on November 20, 1999. Construction cost $402,492.00.^[2]

In 1999, the structure was awarded first place in the Grand Concepter Award from the Engineering Council of Iowa for "engineering excellence".^[3]

References[]