Locals call it "The Tower." Tens of thousands more each day pass right by on I-70 with nary a glance toward that strange structure off the freeway about 10 miles east of Limon. We see it and decide to explore. It's a time warp: a "1930s highway curio" built in an era of Burma Shave signs and Desert Canteens draped over the radiator. Its original slogan, according to an old menu from the Tower's now defunct restaurant, is "The Tower — Summit of the Plains."
Look closely at the photo of the tower and you'll see folks at the top. Look even closer and you may be able to see that they're fake — not tourists ahead of you, but broomsticks, overcoats and ski caps. The first few sets of stairs are no big deal, plus they take you through several rooms of ... stuff. The final ascent is downright scary. I'm thinking dangerous: about 20 feet of ladder with a hand rail on only one side. I'm encumbered with camera, mini-disc & microphone — too much for me. It costs a buck to climb the tower. Accessing it means meandering through rooms filled from floor to ceiling with old guns, coins, tools, arrowheads, books, fossils and "Indian pictographs." Handwritten signs guide your way to the stuffed two-headed calf and 50,000 antique bottles. Amateur archeologist Jerry Chubbuck owns the place. Pay the dollar to climb the tower and/or buy something (everything is for sale) and Jerry has stories like Heinz has pickles.
The Genoa Tower is easy to miss in Genoa, Colorado. Take exit 371 from I-70 about ten miles east of Limon — just follow the signs or, easier still, spot the tower itself and use it as your GPS beacon. If you want to reach Jerry, call 719-763-2309. 
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The Genoa Tower's claim is that on a very clear day you can see six states from the top. The Black Hills of South Dakota or the distant mountains of New Mexico? I'm not sure. Seeing Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming in semi-clear conditions is kinda cool, though — if you're willing to climb that tower.
Genoa Tower owner Jerry Chubbuck
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