This Day In History, 1931

On this day in 1931, The Empire State Building, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th Street (350 Fifth Avenue is the actual address) in New York City opened to the public after having been constructed under budget and in roughly one year's time. The famous spire at the top was at one time planned to be a docking station for large dirigibles. They even constructed special ticketing booths and a departure lounge on the 86th floor. Safety concerns prevailed and no passengers were ever transferred to the roof from an airship (although a smaller zeppelin did lower a bundle of newspapers down a rope to the top of the building). The 86th floor serves as an observatory and it's open to the public.

While the mast at the top never actually held a large airship's mooring lines, it does serve as a fantastic host for radio transmitters, television, and eventually wireless phone and data connections. The special lounge was converted to a viewing platform, and has been a successful tourist attraction ever since.

To visit the official website of the Empire State Building click here.

If you ever make it to New York City, you should endeavor to make it to the top of the ESB. The view itself is worth the price of admission.