Cordova Tower is an

observation tower An observation tower is a structure used to view events from a long distance and to create a full 360 degree range of vision to conduct long distance observations. Observation towers are usually at least tall and are made from stone, iron, an ...

located in Cordova Park in Marion County,

Iowa Iowa () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the ...

. The tower is seated on the north side of Lake Red Rock and equidistant from the four Marion County towns of Pella, Knoxville, Monroe, and Otley. With 170 steps and 106 feet tall, it is the tallest observation tower in the

Midwestern United States The Midwestern United States, also referred to as the Midwest or the American Midwest, is one of four census regions of the United States Census Bureau (also known as "Region 2"). It occupies the northern central part of the United States. I ...

. Ascending from the ground to the observation deck built atop a converted 100 ft by 15 ft standpipe

water tower A water tower is an elevated structure supporting a water tank constructed at a height sufficient to pressurize a water distribution system, distribution system for potable water, and to provide emergency storage for fire protection. Water towe ...

. The tower, completed in 1998, has views of the

Des Moines River The Des Moines River () is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the upper Midwestern United States that is approximately long from its farther headwaters.U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe Na ...

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 1998 and the tower was completed on November 20, 1999. Construction cost $402,492.00. In 1999, the structure was awarded first place in the Grand Concepter Award from the Engineering Council of Iowa for "engineering excellence".

References

{{Reflist Towers in Iowa