Light tower in Central Park

Light tower in Central Park

This picture of the first light tower west of the Mississippi is located in Central Park in Fairfield, Iowa . It was built in 1880 and was 185 ft high with an all steel frame. It had six arc lamps on the tower with 1800 candlepower each. This picture was taken in May of 1910. The light was bright enough that it could be seen from 25 miles away. When it was first built, people came from all over to see the light. Fairfield was the second city west of the Mississippi to have electricity. In 1883, a strong windstorm blew the tower down but it was rebuilt and shortened to 175 ft and anchored with 4 guy wires. The tower lasted until 1910 when it was deemed unsafe and torn down.

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Fairfield Public Library

1910-05

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