English: Blackpool Tower Blackpool Tower dates from 1894 and is a Grade I. listed building. It was commissioned by John Bickerstaff, the Town's famous Mayor, after he visited the Great Paris Exhibition in 1889 and was impressed by the Eiffel Tower. Blackpool Tower rises to 158m (518ft 9 inches) and can be seen from most places within a 30 mile radius. It houses a number of attractions not least of which is its ballroom in which dancers are accompanied by a magnificent Wurlitzer organ. This view of the Tower also illustrates the attractive Victorian ironwork that graces much of the North Pier. The security fence to the left of the kiosk surrounded an area of the Pier that was being re-decked when this photograph was taken. The crane jib on the shoreline to the right marks the reconstruction project that was taking place over much of Blackpool Promenade.