The history of the grand Hueblein tower is vastly debated. At the risk of presenting you with information that is not entirely accurate I will give a brief disclaimer. The version of the story which I will share with you is the version I was told long ago, and though it is disputed it is the one which I am familiar with, so it is this one which I shall share with you. You are welcome to have your own personal opinion about the tower's origin.
The way the tale was told to me is that the Hueblein Tower which sits loftily atop Talcott Mountain in Simsbury, Connecticut was built by a wealthy man for his daughter. His little girl was fascinated by the stars, so he built his princess a grand tower. The tower was an observatory, having windows facing in every direction, including some very high windows near to the roof. From the 360 degree view high on the mountain top, his daughter could track and study the stars. But tragically his daughter died of a common illness such as small pox or the measles, and the man was left alone with his tower. He then turned the grand tower into a small hotel and bar, and the tower room was used as a ballroom. But the journey to the tower was far, the ballroom being so high would become overwhelmingly warm, and the winters were brutal in the mountains. All of these factors led to the man's hotel being closed down, until the tower was converted for the final time into a home. Bedrooms and bathrooms were refurnished and a separate horse stable and shed were built beside the tower. When the last of kin of the family died, the tower was claimed by the Connecticut historical society who made the location a historical landmark and declared Hueblein Tower a state park open to the public. It is free to tour the tower, but the hike is rigorous. The view from the observatory tower room is incredible, and one can see all the way to the shoreline on a clear sunny day. I urge the hikers among you to visit the tower for yourself.
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