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Sunsphere

Knoxville, Tennessee

Architecture

7 Famous U.S. Landmarks Built for World's Fairs

Knoxville wanted to do something truly special for the 1982 World's Fair.

So, they built the Sunsphere, a 26-story observation tower with a globe made out of gold on top. The theme for the fair was "Energy Turns the World," and Knoxville decided to showcase solar energy by making this replica of the sun. The 24-karat gold panels are actually glass layered with gold dust. After the fair, the observation tower — including the sun-themed cafe inside — closed and sat dormant for years. The tower finally returned to use following a failed reopening attempt in 1999 and a 2014 renovation. Across the street from the Sunsphere is an amphitheater, the only other remaining structure from Knoxville's fair.

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