World’s Wonder View Tower

The World’s Wonder View Tower is a historic roadside attraction located in Genoa, Colorado.

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The World’s Wonder View Tower is a historic roadside attraction located in Genoa, Colorado.

It was constructed in 1926 by Charles W. Gregory, known as “Colorado’s P.T. Barnum,” and his partner Myrtle Le Bow. Standing 65 feet tall, the tower was built at what was then believed to be the highest point between New York City and Denver. From its summit, promoters claimed that visitors could see six states: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, New Mexico, and South Dakota—a claim that attracted national attention when featured by Ripley’s Believe It or Not in 1933. ^{1 2 3 4}

Over time, the site developed into a diverse attraction. ^{3 4} It included a museum and vintage shop that displayed various curiosities, such as a two-headed calf, an eight-legged pig, more than 50,000 glass bottles, Native American artifacts, fossils, and weapons. The complex also functioned as a café, gas station, and motel, serving travelers along U.S. Highway 24.

The tower’s ownership changed several times during the 20th century. During World War II, under Bill Stone’s ownership, it operated 24 hours a day to accommodate increased travel. In 1967, Jerry and Esther Chubbuck acquired the property and operated it until the early 2000s. After Jerry Chubbuck’s death on August 4, 2013, the tower closed, ³ and its extensive collection was auctioned on September 20, 2014. ⁴

In July 2016, a group of Colorado history enthusiasts purchased the tower, recognizing its cultural and historical significance. They committed to restoring and preserving the site for future generations. ^{4 5}

In early 2018, a Historic Structure Assessment was completed for the property, and redevelopment efforts, including a master plan, moved forward. ⁵ The entire lower level of the building was mothballed in August 2018, and the site was opened to the public in 2019 for a tour and featured in the annual Pedal the Plains bike route.

By 2021, they established the nonprofit organization Friends of the Genoa Tower Inc. to oversee the restoration and future operations of the tower. ⁵ The restoration project has garnered substantial financial support. In 2022, the site received a $1.5 million grant from Major Creative Industries. ⁵ As of early 2025, nearly $3 million had been raised, including a notable $250,000 grant from History Colorado. ⁶ These funds are earmarked for various restoration activities, such as interior refinishing and the restoration of the tower’s iconic signage.

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Sources

1. Dreiling, Larry. “Northeast Colorado Offers Hidden Jewels.” High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal, 7 May 2004.
2. Pohlen, Jerome. Oddball Colorado: A Guide to Some Really Strange Places. Chicago Review Press, 2002, p. 54.
3. “World’s Wonder View Tower.” Our Journey, 2016.
4. Calhoun, Patricia. “New Owners Have High Hopes for the World’s Wonder View Tower.” Westword, 15 Sept. 2016.
5. “World’s Wonder View Tower.” Colorado Preservation.
6. Boulard, Garry. “Famous Colorado Wonder View Tower and Century-Old Tourist Attraction Gets Funding for Restoration Work.” Construction Reporter, 11, Feb. 2025.