The Seattle Space Needle just turned 60 years old. And whether you love it or despise it, you must admit, it has become synonymous with Washington for the majority of both visitors and locals. And while there are more impressive archeological structures in existence now, 60 years ago, the Needle was ahead of its time. In many ways, it still symbolizes what is possible.

The Space Needle has been part of the Seattle skyline for as long as most of us can remember.
Tiffany Von Arnim / Flickr
Not only is it a dedicated Seattle landmark, it has seen a whopping 60 million visitors (and counting) since it opened to the public.
It all started in 1962, when Edward E. Carlson, chairman of the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, sketched out his idea of opening a tower with a restaurant for the occasion.
Seattle Municipal Archives / Flickr
Carlson had been inspired by a recent visit to the Stuttgart Tower of Germany. Local architect John Graham, best known for designing the Northgate Mall, soon got involved with the project.
It took about 400 days to build the Space Needle and cost around $4.5 million to build.
Seattle Municipal Archives / Wikipedia
With the World's Fair fast approaching, the construction team worked around the clock. The last elevator car was installed the day before the Fair opened on April 21.

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At 605 feet tall, the Space Needle was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi.
Jonas Maaløe / Flickr
Currently, it isn't even the tallest structure in Seattle—that honor goes to the Columbia Center, which rises 937 feet and 76 stories high.
The Space Needle recently completed a huge renovation project, and it's more amazing than ever.
Rickmouser45 / Wikipedia
The new observation deck and the swanky new Loupe Lounge, which sits on the world’s first and only revolving glass floor, are must-sees.
After 60 years of defining the Seattle skyline, the Space Needle is now one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
Andrew E Larson / Flickr
And while tickets to the top aren't cheap, the sweeping views are well worth the cost.

Lifelong Washingtonians, do you remember your first time at the Space Needle?

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