Connecticut Was Home To One Of The First Elevators In A Private Home

For most of us, the idea of an elevator in our private home is a bit far-fetched. It’s certainly something too luxurious for the average person, but it is a reality of life for many of the rich and famous. Did you know that one of the first residential elevators in America was installed right here in Connecticut? The Heublein Tower is now a tourist attraction that looks like something from a fairy tale. The 165-foot tall tower sits tucked away in Simsbury’s Talcott Mountain State Park. However, it was once a private residence!

The land where the Heublein Tower now sits has actually held four towers in the past. Three previous landowners had all built towers in the area, which has phenomenal views even without the benefit of standing atop a tower.

Himanshu Trivedi/Google Maps

Gilbert Heublein was an immigrant from Bavaria who moved to Connecticut when he was a young child. On a hike up Talcott Mountain, he promised his fiance Louise that he would build her a “castle on the mountain.”

Friends of Heublin Tower This was clearly no empty promised intended to woo his lady love, as several decades after their wedding, he did indeed build her a castle on the mountain: Heublin Tower.

The tower’s construction ended in 1914. The building is massive, with six stories, multiple bedrooms, and a ballroom on the top floor.

jim catalfamo/Google Maps The building was primarily used as a summer residence for the Heubleins, who frequently threw parties in the beautiful home.

In 1929, the tower underwent more renovations, with service areas and a dining room being added. That may sound irritating to have to climb so many stairs to get up all those floors…

Friends of Heublin Tower

But the Heubleins didn’t have to worry about that, as the Tower was one of the first residential homes in America to have an Otis elevator installed.

daryl_mitchell/Wikimedia Commons The idea of the elevator has probably been around longer than you think. The first elevator-like design was drafted by Archimedes way back in 236 BC. The first electric elevator was built in Germany in 1880, though they would become much more common in the 20th century. The Heublein Tower’s elevator was removed and replaced with a fire-safe stairwell in the 1970s, so unfortunately, it cannot be seen today.

However, you can still access the museum and home, which it is open for visitors seasonally. The views are absolutely incredible from the observation deck up top!

Friends of Heublin Tower

For more information about this historic place, you can check out the Friends of Heublein Tower website.

Have you visited the Heublein Tower? And did you know it was once home to one of the first residential elevators in America? Share your experiences in the comments!

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Address: Heublein Tower, Simsbury, CT 06070, USA

Himanshu Trivedi/Google Maps

Friends of Heublin Tower

This was clearly no empty promised intended to woo his lady love, as several decades after their wedding, he did indeed build her a castle on the mountain: Heublin Tower.

jim catalfamo/Google Maps

The building was primarily used as a summer residence for the Heubleins, who frequently threw parties in the beautiful home.

daryl_mitchell/Wikimedia Commons

The idea of the elevator has probably been around longer than you think. The first elevator-like design was drafted by Archimedes way back in 236 BC. The first electric elevator was built in Germany in 1880, though they would become much more common in the 20th century. The Heublein Tower’s elevator was removed and replaced with a fire-safe stairwell in the 1970s, so unfortunately, it cannot be seen today.

For more information about this historic place, you can check out the Friends of Heublein Tower website.

Have you visited the Heublein Tower? And did you know it was once home to one of the first residential elevators in America? Share your experiences in the comments!