neuticles
Have always looked forward to seeing the Wonder Tower ontrips to Colorado. This year (Dec.26, 14) passed the site and all thatremains is the top of the tower- everything else is gone.
Mt_Sunflower
I do not think that this place is open anymore. The original owners sold it to an older gentleman a few years ago. I stopped by here with my husband in 2007 and was a little confused by the random piles of stuff everywhere. Some of the floors were damp and made me a.little nervous. It was hard to focus on anything there was so much to look at. Only went halfway up the tower.
Oklahomawheatty
I didnt know that he died but I was told two years ago that he was closing up because he had been doing it so long. My family has cut wheat up there for as long as I can remember I've been in the tower every year for the past ten years numerous times and I see something new everytime it's a unique place and was a lot of fun. Oklahoma wheatty
48tomm
I’m 57 years old. I was but 7 or 8 years old when my dad took us by the Genoa Tower for the first time. During that first visit, I recall a much younger “Jerry” patching up and doing work on his tower property. It was quite a place to visit, even back in the mid 1960’s. I have stopped by on a few occasions over the last several decades with friends and family just to give them a taste of one off the most unusual man made sites in the United States in an otherwise long bleak drive from North Central Kansas to Denver. Although, Jerry would just vaguely remember me on each visit, my traveling friends and family members and I will always remember his unique humor and incredible knowledge of the artifacts of which he was so proud to be God’s custodian.On a trip to Colorado Springs with my family (About 1993), I stopped to give my three young children the experience that was provided to me so many years before, by my own dad. After visiting all the sited in and around Colorado Springs, on the return trip home, I asked my kids what they liked best. Unquestionably, the answer was the Genoa Tower and Jerry’s tour.Today I got word of Jerry’s passing, in an e-mail from a guest, that had earlier this week, stayed at the Midland Railroad Hotel, located in Wilson, KS. My wife and I own this wonderful restored property. For folks traveling west toward Denver, I always recommended the Tower as one of the best adventures on their westbound journey. The e-mail indicated that our guest realized the Tower was apparently closed, but happened upon a couple of young lads standing next to an old CJ-2 Jeep. By chance, they were Jerry’s Grandsons, Chris and Joe Harper. They told our wayward traveler that indeed, the Tower was full of valuable and interesting marvels and that Jerry had lived a full life.For those travelers who missed out on a visit to “Jerry’s” Genoa Tower, it is a loss you will not much miss. But, what a great memory for me as a child and as and adult.
LauraW714
This is a real seedy place, unorganized and wild, but so much fun for antiquers and rock hounders, flea market enthusiast, and almost everyone else. the owner is a hoot and enjoys jiving people. His spiel alone is worth the dollar admission! The building, built in the '30's as an entertainment center, is run down but very interesting architecture. If you go, wear good shoes and old clothes, and have a ball!
sherry80758
Stairs very narrow, the antiques are interesting, but this is just a typical run down tourist trap. If you can see all the states touted, it would be guessing.
ttowntriper
We stopped by here after I read reviews of this place,, we called from our cell phone because it was after 5 pm and Jerry the owner said come on by any way, we were glad we did and Jerry the owner is a very nice old dude who loves to ask people if they can guess the 10 objects he pulls out, that you can get your 1 $ back , the climb to the top is a trip in it self something like right out of a fun house and the view from the top is awesome so take a camera and take a shot from the west, south and north you wont be disappointed !!!
travellingJana
This was a very interesting place to stop. We stopped there by accident as our son needed a break during our travels and the place was right there but we have heard about this place before. The admission is $1 but if you can guess what 10 objects are used for, you get in for free. (We didn't guess all of them). The tower is filled with a lot of old and interesting stuff. It's almost like visiting an old attic. All of the stuff is for sale (most of it for unreasonable prices). I got a nice bowl which was made in the US for $6 (good deal) but wasn't looking to purchase anything to begin with. The owner is a nice guy who will keep you entertained as long as you let him (showing you different artifacts and having you guess what they are used for). Definitely worth the stop but enough to see once.
Tico8
I saw this on a list of "10 outstanding tourist traps", but it is anything but. Admission is $1, and there is almost nothing for sale (although i found an old Lilly Tincture of Cantharides medicine bottle for my collection for $4). C.W. Gregory erected it as a "tourist camp" in 1930 on the highest point between Denver and New York City. Its claimed you can see 6 states from the top. Hard to know but it makes sense when you include the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles. (You can't see Denver, as there is 7500ft land between Denver and the Tower).The tower has been run by colorful Jerry Chubbuck for the last 45 years, and it is just packed with junk and rocks. American Pickers would be right at home (as my Spanish Fly medicine bottle proved).We really enjoyed this, but there isn't much between Kansas and Denver.Not easy to find, look for a couple of old signs on the north side of 70, exit 371. Open October thru April. 719-763-2309.
brognome
Took my fiance to the Wonder Tower, I did. On Valentines Day! Good ol' Jerry, he's the owner and quite the character! He kept yanking these relics out of this cabinet, asking us what we thought they might be! He likes to surprise you and pull your chain. I don't know what to say, except the tower is very old and the wood seemed soft at the top. Maybe a few more seasons before the place gets too old and perhaps truly unsafe. Worth the experience, worth the ride!
Mark_Denver94
A group of friends rode our SCOOTERS from Denver to the Wonder Tower today, all I can say is that we had a blast. Jerry the Owner is a riot, very likable, and explained many of the items when he asked if we knew what they were. If you are correct you get your $1.00 admission back (we got two outta three but let him keep the money). It is well worth the stop if your coming across I70.
Tarrier
Hey look, if you're not into funky weirdness and originality, go ahead and proceed to Limon and dine at Wendy's. It's just your speed. (Halfway between western Kansas and Denver, you gotta stop somewhere, right?) But, if you're looking to experience something that's amazing, joyous, original and wonderful, get off the interstate at Genoa and take in the Wonder Tower. I loved it, people we were traveling with who were not geeky "roadside America" buffs like me loved it, and our teenagers loved it. It's just a wonderful, quirky, unexpected, non-contrived great place that you'll never find anywhere else. Trust me. Stop just this once. Whatdayya have to lose? It's a great thing.Tarrier
Muttjet
I have been to the Tower many times with friends and family. My father grew up in Genoa in the 1920s. I took my daughter and my 3 grandsons who were visiting from Salt Lake City and purchased lots of junk at the Tower and I will never go back again. Mr. Chubbuck called me, getting my telephone number from my check, and accused my grandsons of stealing. Nothing was found in my grandsons' possession. I bought them whatever they wanted at the Tower which of course was overpriced.He has lost out on my many visits to the Tower. I thought the place was rather boring. Certainly not worth anymore visits and please don't take your children.
TexasMomTW
If you are in the mood for something different, and have a sense of adventure, humor, and curiousity, you might enjoy this as much as we did. It is 3 experiences in one place, and the owner, Jerry Chubbuck, will regale you with facts and stories! To the right, after you enter the front door, is the former Night Club, with a sub-terranean catacomb feel, amazing walls, ceilings, fixtures and antiques. To the left is the gift shop plus several rooms full of more antiques, junk for sale, and curiousities, including stuffed 2 headed animals and preserved freaks of nature in jars--easy to avoid if you are squeamish. The Wonder Tower is up several fights of stairs with landings full of interesting items, including one room lined with framed newspaper articles about the Wonder Tower's heyday. The viewing platform at the top of the Tower was windy and scary the day we went in late May, 2010, so I didn't try to see six states from the top, but had a great time anyway! The Wonder Tower is easily visible coming from the west on I-70. It is a bit harder to see if you are coming from the east, but I think you take Exit 371. I think the entrance fee was one dollar. and did not see a rest room.