List of tallest structures in the United States

The height of structures in the United States has been poorly documented. However, the data is a matter of public record, appearing in documents maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

This list is populated heavily by antenna masts. The engineering aspects of super-tall masts are highly specialized. Only four companies erect the majority of such structures: Doty Moore Tower Services (Cedar Hill, Texas); Kline Towers (Columbia, South Carolina); LeBlanc Royal Telecom (Oakville, Ontario); and Stainless Inc. (North Wales, Pennsylvania). The design and construction are largely governed by RS222E Electronic Industries Alliance standards. A 1,000-foot (300 m) mast costs between $0.7 and $1.1 million to build, while a 2,000-foot (610 m) mast costs $2.4 to $4 million. Prices generally vary depending on tower capacity and wind loading specifications.

A common misperception is that landmarks such as the Stratosphere Tower are the tallest United States structures, but they are in fact the tallest buildings. Likewise Taipei 101 was often misrepresented as the world's tallest structure (although it was the tallest occupied building, before the certification of Dubai's Burj Khalifa as such), but in fact is far eclipsed by antenna towers in over a dozen states in the United States and in other countries.

In the United States, the FAA and the FCC must approve all towers exceeding 200 feet (61 m) in height. Furthermore, it is very difficult to get permission for structures over 2,000 feet (610 m) high. The FCC presumes them to be inconsistent with the public interest, while the FAA presumes them to be a hazard to air navigation, resulting in poor airspace usage. A significant burden of proof is placed on the applicant to show that such a structure is in the public's best interests. Only when both agencies have resolved all legal, safety, and management concerns is such an application approved.

Since 1978 the United States has maintained eleven tethered aerostats sites along the southern borders. These balloons rise to 18,000 feet (5,500 m), carrying radar units for drug interdiction purposes. However, since the balloons are aided by buoyancy and are not permanent they are not considered true structures.

State-by-state listing

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Height data according to FCC's ASR entries.

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Puerto Rico

An incomplete lists of tallest structures in Puerto Rico. Main reference: U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) database

Structure Height (ft) Height (metres) Year of built Structure Type Use Place Comments
Aguada VLF transmission mast 1,205 ft (367 m) 367.3 m ? Guyed mast VLF/LF-transmission Aguada operated by US Navy
Telemundo WKAQ TV Tower 1,105 ft (337 m) 336.8 m 1971 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission Cayey
Cayey Pegasus Broadcasting Tower 1,091 ft (333 m) 332.5 m 1966 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission Cayey
Arso Radio Tower 682 ft (208 m) 208 m 1996 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission Cabo Rojo
La Cadena del Milagro Tower 548 ft (167 m) 167 m 1991 Lattice tower UHF/VHF-transmission Utuado
Arecibo Observatory 492 ft (150 m) 150 m 1963 Radio telescope Radio and Radar astronomy Arecibo World's largest radio telescope

By structural type

Tallest structures in the United States for different uses/structural types. Please expand and/or correct, if necessary

Category Structure City Height (ft)
Guyed mast KVLY-TV mast Blanchard, ND 2,063 feet
Skyscraper One World Trade Center New York City, NY 1,776 feet
Tower for exclusive scientific use BREN-Tower (Demolished) Nevada Test Site 1,527 feet
Guyed mast insulated against ground VLF transmitter Lualualei Lualualei, HI 1,503 feet
Chimney Homer City Generating Station Homer City, PA 1,217 feet
Concrete tower Stratosphere Tower Las Vegas, NV 1,149 feet
Free-standing lattice tower WITI TV Tower Shorewood, WI 1,078 feet
Bridge Royal Gorge Bridge Cañon City, CO 1,053 feet
Suspension Bridge Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco, CA 746 feet
Dam Hoover Dam Boulder City, NV 726 feet
Industrial building VAB Kennedy Space Center, FL 526 feet
Church St. Patrick's Cathedral New York City, NY 330 feet
Aerial tramway support pillar Roosevelt Island Tramway New York City, NY 250 feet
Stone tower/Obelisk San Jacinto Monument La Porte, TX 567 feet

See also

Notes and references

External links

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