About World’s Wonder View Tower
The World’s Wonder View Tower is a historic observation tower located near Genoa, Colorado, along the old route of U.S. Highway 24. Built as a roadside attraction during the early twentieth century, the tower was designed to give travelers a dramatic view of the surrounding plains while serving as a memorable stop along one of Colorado’s historic automobile routes.
Construction of the tower began in 1925 under the direction of Dr. J. D. McGuire, who envisioned a destination where motorists could stop, rest, and experience sweeping views of the Colorado landscape. The structure was built from locally sourced materials and gradually expanded over time, eventually reaching a height of approximately 65 feet.
The tower’s main attraction was its observation deck, which required visitors to climb a long staircase to reach the top. From the elevated platform, travelers could see across the open plains toward distant mountain ranges, creating an impressive contrast between the flat eastern Colorado landscape and the Rocky Mountains visible on the horizon.
During its heyday, the World’s Wonder View Tower was a popular stop for automobile tourists. Like many roadside attractions of the era, it relied on novelty, scenery, and the promise of an unusual experience to attract passing motorists. The tower offered visitors something they could not easily find elsewhere: a chance to literally rise above the landscape and gain a new perspective on the region.
Over the decades, the attraction developed a reputation for its collection of unusual objects and displays. Visitors could explore not only the tower itself but also various curiosities gathered on the property. This combination of observation tower and roadside museum reflected the creative spirit of early tourism, when small attractions competed with one another by offering increasingly unique experiences.
Changing travel patterns and the construction of newer highways eventually reduced traffic through the area. The tower gradually declined, and access became limited due to safety concerns and maintenance challenges. Despite its deterioration, it remains an important example of Colorado’s roadside heritage and the types of attractions that once lined America’s highways.
Today, the World’s Wonder View Tower stands as a historic roadside landmark and a reminder of an earlier era of travel. Though it no longer functions as the bustling attraction it once was, its unusual design, remote location, and connection to early automobile tourism make it a fascinating piece of Colorado history.