[12] As a warning to aircraft, the top of the tower, including antennae, is stated to be 392 feet (119.5 m) above sea level by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

[2] The tower was designed by architect A. Wynn Howell[16][21] of Lakeland, built by Ridge Builders of Sebring in 1960 for $350,000 (equivalent to $2,800,000 in 2023),[9] and opened January 1, 1961.

[26] The tower has a foundation made from 520 cubic yards (400 m3) of concrete reinforced with 80,000 pounds (36,000 kg) of steel.

[16][18][27] Because of low ticket sales, the tower closed in 1982 when the owner would not pay their Internal Revenue Service taxes, but it was re-opened in 1986.

The small group of owners still faced sluggish sales, and the tower and its restaurant continued to struggle, despite features such as a petting zoo in its plaza, and a pay phone at the top billed as the "highest pay phone in Florida.

[29][30] Even though the tower closed about 2003, it still has two red "OPEN" signs at its top, facing north and south.

[31][32][33] These panels covered the two opposing triangular openings (top and bottom) in the middle third of each wall and the breeze or fence blocks[26] between them.