Most people associate the Eiffel Tower with France, which is rightfully their own beautiful and iconic piece of artwork. But, tucked away in Paris, Tennessee, you may find a sight that looks just a bit out of the ordinary. Mainly because it's very French. Do you know the history of the Tennessean Eiffel Tower?
The southern Eiffel Tower actually wasn't BORN in Paris. It was created in Memphis in 1990, by engineering students attending Christian Brothers University at the Memphis in May Festival. The festival honors a country every year, and focused on France that particular year.
The original structure was wooden, and meant to only be a temporary structure. The university meant to destroy or move it eventually, because students were (unsafely) climbing it unaccompanied, and it was not meant to hold human weight.
Not long after, in April of 1991, the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce decided to sponsor "Paris USA." It was an event that was meant to celebrate the 15 cities in the United States that are named after the ever-iconic city of lights. It was then that the university contacted Paris, Tennessee, asking if they'd like the tower - they accepted.
It was designed to scale by multiple professors at Christian Brothers University, with the design based on the original designs saved from Gustave Eiffel's original - stunning - musings.
The Paris, Tennessee Eiffel Tower stands at 60 feet or 18 meters tall, making it a nearly perfect 1:20 replica of the famed tower in France. It was built over the course of more than 10,000 hours given by CBU students, staff and surrounding community.
It contains 500 pieces of Douglas fir tree and a mind-boggling 6,000 steel rods. It was built in CBU's Buckman Quadrangle, then dismantled and delivered to Paris in the early winter of 1992. The tower has since been painted and stands with pride in Memorial Park.
You Can See 7 Different States at Once From Lookout Mountain in Tennessee
Wondering how many states you can see from Lookout Mountain in Tennessee? Well, you can see a whopping seven states from the spectacular GA/TN mountaintop.
Tennessee is known more for its hills than its mountains, though the Volunteer State does share the Great Smoky Mountain National Park with North Carolina. What some folks don't realize is that the state is home to one of the most incredible views in the United States. Where can you indulge in such an expansive view, you ask? Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga of course, one of the highest points in Tennessee. I took a trip here a few years ago, and while standing on the mountaintop, I was left awe-struck by the panoramic vistas where I could see several states all at once. How many states can you see from Lookout Mountain, you ask? Good question and one we plan on answering, so read on to find out. This shared natural space remains one of my favorite scenic destinations and it’s also great for families looking to view our grand state from high above. It is a must-see spot right on the southern border of Tennessee and shared with Georgia.
Lookout Mountain can be found just a couple of minutes from the heart of downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it's known throughout the state for its stunning views and natural wonders. There are several attractions located along the tight and twisting roads of this famous mountain. If you are a history buff then a trip to Point Park is a must.
Fun fact: Lookout Mountain is located in both Georgia and Tennessee, but the Volunteer State has significantly less land than our neighbor to the south. Get ready to state hop!
When locals think of Lookout Mountain, they're bound to bring to mind places like Rock City or the famous underground waterfall, Ruby Falls, and the Incline Railway you can ride on your way upwards and onwards.
From the famed "Rock City Point," you can see a whopping seven states. The states you can see from Lookout Mountain include Tennessee, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, and Alabama. The unique location and high elevation allow one of the best and most expansive views in the country. Trust me, it’s a view that you'll never forget and that’s speaking from experience. After all, standing at 2,000 feet elevation is not an everyday occurrence.
There are all sorts of neat ways to experience Lookout Mountain. Chattanooga is considered one of the top getaways in the nation, and it's a great spot for outdoor adventures and all sorts of family activities. From the lookouts, hiking trails, scenic drives, and attractions, you can easily spend a long time enjoying this mountain destination. When it comes to planning your trip to Lookout Mountain, you'll want to figure out what experiences you're looking to have. Rock City? Ruby Falls? The Incline Railway, or maybe all three?
We would recommend staying the weekend and making the most out of this fantastic destination. If you need a place to stay, consider sleeping right on the mountain in a house rental with that same phenomenal view that we all love from Lookout Mountain. The Birdhouse is one of those excellent mountaintop rentals we can just picture sipping our coffee early in the morning while watching the sun rise in this beautiful land. To book a night or for more information please visit The Birdhouse Airbnb page.
The folks at Lookout Mountain recommend that you start your day with a guided cave tour through Ruby Falls, then head to the Rock City Gardens where you can view the expanse of the world down below from Lover's Leap. Keep in mind: Lookout Mountain is expansive. Rock City is on the Georgia side of the mountain, closer to Ruby Falls, and is well worth the trip. You don't want to rush through this experience!
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Is this not an incredible view and a great destination? Now when someone asks you "How many states can you see from Lookout Mountain?" You will have a great answer. All of those places on Lookout Mountain like Rock City, Ruby Falls, and The Incline Railway have been covered in this awesome Lookout Mountain article you should check out. You will need to get tickets for each attraction so make sure you visit the Rock City, Ruby Falls, and The Incline Railway websites to purchase those tickets and for any more additional information.
Have you been to this scenic spot in Tennessee? Would you visit? Make sure to leave your thoughts, tips, and tricks for a good day trip atop Lookout Mountain or Rock City below. Also, if you're looking to learn more about the area head to the base of the mountain and grab a bite to eat at The Purple Daisy Picnic Cafe.
“Holy Batman Building in Tennessee, Batman!” If you have been around the Volunteer State for long, chances are you have seen a certain iconic skyscraper in Nashville, Tennessee. This unique building not only has dynamic and cool-looking architecture. but it also resembles The Dark Knight himself. It is a pretty interesting building... but what is the story behind such an interesting high rise?
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The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Nashville is country music. It is known as "Music City," after all.
Most people don’t immediately think of a comic book superhero when they think of our capital city. However, in 1994 a new skyscraper was erected with a very interesting top. As it was being built, the good people around Nashville started to see the resemblance to Batman’s cowl.
We here in Tennessee call it like we see it, so people named it the Batman Building. Well, the name stuck and has been known like that ever since.
Although the design was thoroughly intentional, the resemblance to the Dark Knight was purely coincidental. The owners of the property rights for Batman even reached out to make sure no one was committing copyright infringement!
Once the misunderstanding was worked out, the owners of Batman even agreed that it was a good marketing move, so no harm no foul.
Although Nashville is far from being like Gotham, the building has been a staple for our capitol’s skyline. Just like the caped crusader who is perched high overlooking the city, the Batman Building keeps watch over Music City.
The building is owned by AT&T and has offered many office spaces for other companies over the years. The myriad windows allow plenty of natural light to flood in and illuminate the workspaces. The architecture is brilliant and an engineering marvel, to say the least.
This building has become so iconic that you can even find it represented on our Tennessee licenses. The AT&T building (AKA Batman Building), Knoxville’s Sunsphere, Memphis’ Pyramid, and Chattanooga’s Tennessee Aquarium are all represented on our IDs.
I would suggest staying in the city for a little while to take in all the sights and landmarks. There is no better place to do it than the luxurious Loews Nashville Hotel. Loews represents Music City in so many ways and honors the roots found in this popular jump city. Book a night and you will also be less than two miles from the Batman Building.
“Na na na na na na na na Batman!...Building!” Have you seen this masterpiece of architecture before? Take a trip to Nashville and see it for yourself and see just how much it looks like the famous superhero we all love. Let us know what you think about the Batman Building in Tennessee in the comments below.
