Hoover Tower: A Stanford Icon

Hoover Tower, an iconic landmark on the Stanford University campus, stands as a testament to Herbert Hoover's legacy and a repository of invaluable historical documents. Completed in 1941 to commemorate Stanford's 50th anniversary, the 285-foot tower was designed by Arthur Brown Jr., drawing inspiration from the New Cathedral of Salamanca in Spain.The tower is home to the Hoover Institution Library and Archives, a vast collection of materials related to war, revolution, and peace, which Hoover began amassing during and after World War I. The first nine floors contain library stacks, while the next three house offices. Visitors can explore exhibitions in the ground floor galleries, which are free to the public.A highlight of Hoover Tower is the Lou Henry Hoover Observation Deck on the 14th floor, offering stunning panoramic views of the Stanford campus, the surrounding foothills, and the San Francisco Bay. The observation deck is also home to a carillon of 48 bells, a gift from the Belgian American Educational Foundation. The original 35 bells were displayed at the 1939 New York World's Fair before finding their permanent home at Stanford. The largest bell bears the inscription "For peace alone do I ring".Visitor information: The observation deck is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Tickets are $8 per person, with free entry for Stanford affiliates (students, faculty, staff, alumni) and children under 3. Tickets can be purchased at the door via credit card or contactless payment.