by Rick Blaine

Created on: October 22, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

One day, in the years after the turn of the 20th century but before the outbreak of World War I, German-born businessman Gilbert Heublein was hiking in the Connecticut woods with his fianc. As they stood atop Talcott Mountain on the border between the towns of Avon and Simsbury, Gilbert promised Louise that he'd build her a castle on that very spot. Heublein had the means. He'd made a fortune in the hotel business, and importing food and beverages - notably A-1 Steak Sauce and Smirnoff vodka.

In 1914, Heublein made good on his promise, building a summer home complete with a six-story tower at the peak of the stone ridge overlooking Connecticut's Farmington Valley. The 165-foot tower, modeled after the architecture of Heublein's native Bavaria, was designed to withstand 100-mile-per-hour winds.

For decades, the Heublein family made the house at the peak of the 1000-foot high mountain its summer retreat. At the top of the tower is a grand ballroom, where the family held lavish parties. It was here, at a more subdued Heublein Tower party, where history was made in the 1950s, when notable Republicans, including Connecticut Senator Prescott Bush - father and grandfather to two US Presidents - convinced General Dwight D. Eisenhower to run for president as a member of the GOP.

Today, the Heublein Tower is owned and managed by the state of Connecticut's Department of Environment Protection. A quarter century ago, a group called Friends of the Heublein Tower was formed to assist in the restoration and upkeep of the home, which operates as a museum and educational center.

The tower sits at the center of a 350-acre site that is part of Talcott Mountain State Park. Visitors can climb the 110 steps to the former grand ballroom on the uppermost observation level. From here, the view is spectacular, taking in parts of six states - from New Hamshire's Mount Monadnock to the northeast, the rolling Berkshire Mountains to the west, and even New York's Long Island to the south.

The view is especially glorious in the fall, when the New England foliage bursts to life in shades of red, yellow and orange. It's at this peak scenic season that the Friends of Heublein Tower hold their annual Tower Toot, with food and entertainment and activities for kids.

Heublein Tower and Talcott Mountain State Park are popular sites for hiking. The tower is easily accessible via a brisk walk up the mile-long Tower Trail from a parking lot off Route 185 opposite Penwood State Park on the Simsbury, Connecticut side of the mountain. The more adventurous can experience the Hazen Trail route to the Skyline Trail, both of which are maintained by the Avon Land Trust. Total hiking time from this direction, starting just off Nod Way in Avon, Connecticut is about an hour each way.

The Heublien Tower is open Thursday through Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In the fall - from Labor Day through the end of October, the tower is open daily.

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