{{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox building | name = Prospect Point Observation Tower | native_name = | native_name_lang = | former_names = | alternate_names = | status = | image = Niagara Falls observatory tower.JPG | image_alt = | image_size = 250 | caption = The observation tower in 2013 | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_alt = | map_caption = | altitude = | client = | owner = | current_tenants = | landlord = | location = | address = | location_town = Niagara Falls, New York | location_country = United States of America | coordinates = {{coord|43.086442|N|79.068389|W|display=inline,title}} | construction_start_date = 1958 | completion_date = 1961 | renovation_date = 2001 | cost = US$1,250,000 | height = {{convert|282|ft|m}} | architectural_style = Modernist | elevator_count = 4 | website = http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/observation-tower.aspx | references = <ref name=skylonhistory/><ref name=Emporis>{{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/160382 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307045152/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/160382 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |title=Emporis building ID 160382 |work=Emporis}}</ref> }} The '''Prospect Point Observation Tower''' (also known as the '''Niagara Falls Observation Tower'''<ref name=Emporis/>) is a tower in Niagara Falls, New York, United States just east of the American Falls.
==History== {{See also|Prospect Park Incline Railway}} thumb|left|The Prospect Point Incline Railway The area of the tower and Prospect Point was once known as the High Bank Industrial/Mill District, and hosted industrial use of the area from the 1870s to 1940s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.niagarafrontier.com/milldistrict.html|title=The Historic Mill District of Niagara Falls, New York}}</ref>
The tower was originally built in 1961<ref name=skylonhistory/> and extensively refurbished between 2001 and 2003.<ref name=NYG_44mil_2003>{{cite web |url=http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/03/june24_03.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061003001903/http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/03/june24_03.htm |archivedate=October 3, 2006 |title=Governor Announces Completion of Multi-Million Dollar Improvement at Scenic Niagara Falls State Park |date=June 24, 2003 |publisher=NYS Office of the Governor |accessdate=October 22, 2016}}</ref> Improvements included a pre-cast concrete plank observation deck, an ornamental stainless steel deck railing system, improved high-speed elevators, new rest rooms, and a gift shop.<ref name=NYG_44mil_2003/>
==Description== The tower, constructed of aluminum, glass, and steel, stands at {{convert|282|ft|m}}<ref name=Emporis/> with the base at the bottom of the gorge. Visitors enter the tower at the ground level from Niagara Falls State Park.<ref name=skylonhistory>{{cite web |title=History of Niagara Falls towers |publisher=Skylon Tower |url=http://www.skylon.com/niagara-falls-stories/niagara-falls-a-history-of-its-towers/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831153731/http://www.skylon.com/niagara-falls-stories/niagara-falls-a-history-of-its-towers/ |archivedate=August 31, 2012 |accessdate=October 22, 2016}}</ref> It sees eight million visitors annually.
The ''Maid of the Mist'' loads at the base of the tower.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/observation-tower}} *{{Commons category-inline|Prospect Point Observation Tower}} {{Niagara Falls}}
Category:Towers completed in 1961 Category:Buildings and structures in Niagara Falls, New York Category:Towers in New York (state) Category:Tourist attractions in Niagara County, New York Category:Niagara Falls State Park Category:Observation towers in the United States Category:Modernist architecture in New York (state) Category:Individual elevators Category:1961 establishments in New York (state)