Discover the Two Structures that Share the Crown for Tallest in Texas

Texas is the largest state in the United States by area, behind only Alaska. The total area of Texas is 268,597 square miles. There is a saying that everything is bigger in Texas, and this is certainly true for the tallest structures in Texas! The Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower and the Liberman Broadcasting Tower are tied for the tallest building in the state. Each of these towers are an incredible 2,000 feet tall! In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must approve towers over 200 feet tall. These agencies generally do not give permission for structures over 2,000 feet tall. Only one broadcasting tower in California and two in North Dakota are taller than these structures in Texas.

The Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower and the Liberman Broadcasting Tower are tied with 18 other broadcasting towers in the United States for the sixth-tallest structure in the world. Where in Texas are these towers, and what is their purpose? This article explores the location, history, and purpose of the two tallest structures in Texas. Additionally, this article explores wildlife species that live nearby.

The Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower

At 2,000 feet tall, the Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower is one of the two tallest structures in Texas.

Location

The Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower is eleven miles northwest of the town of Winnie, TX. Winnie is in Chambers County, about 60 miles east of Houston, and has a population of 3,162. Although Winnie is in Chambers County, the Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower is actually in Liberty County, in the Greater Houston area.

History

According to its FCC antenna structure registration, the Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower was constructed in 2005. It is owned by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF), a nonprofit Christian media ministry. EMF purchased the station in 2012.

Purpose

The Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower is an FM radio mast. The tower currently only broadcasts one station, which is 103.7, KHJK. KHJK relays the EMF’s Air1 program. Air1 plays contemporary Christian worship music.

Nearby Wildlife

The Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower is within an hour drive of two wildlife refuges and one Wildlife Management Area (WMA). These are the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, the Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge, and the Candy Cain Abshier WMA.

The McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge is a large freshwater marsh. Markedly, it has one of the densest populations of American alligators in Texas. The refuge also has many bird species including the roseate spoonbill, snowy egret, mottled duck, burrowing owl, and piping plover. Additionally, bumblebees and monarch butterflies are two insect species that are common in the refuge. The Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge is also a freshwater marsh and contains the same species as the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge.

The Candy Cain Abshier WMA is primarily oak motte and coastal prairie habitat. Several species of birds live at the WMA, including the Mississippi kite, broad-winged hawk, red-tail hawk, Cooper’s hawk, kestrel, merlin, and peregrine falcon. Additionally, the WMA is also home to many American alligators.

The Liberman Broadcasting Tower

At 2,000 feet tall, the Liberman Broadcasting Tower is one of the two tallest structures in Texas.

Location

The Liberman Broadcasting Tower is seven miles west of the unincorporated community of Era, TX. Era is in Cooke County and has a population of about 400. It is about 60 miles north of Fort Worth, TX.

History

According to its FCC antenna structure registration, the Liberman Broadcasting Tower was constructed in 2006. The tower is owned by Estrella Radio License of Dallas LLC, which purchased it in 2020.

Purpose

The Liberman Broadcasting Tower is an FM radio mast. The tower currently only broadcasts one station, which is KNOR-FM, 93.7 “La Raza”. KNOR-FM plays Spanish-language Norteño music.

Nearby Wildlife

Cooke County is a part of the Texoma region of Texas, which is along the Red River Valley. Era, TX is also a half-hour drive from the Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle du Bois. The Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle du Bois includes prairie, savanna, and woodland habitat in addition to the lake itself. Some mammals that live at the park are raccoons, opossums, brown bats, Mexican free-tail bats, nine-banded armadillos, minks, gray foxes, coyotes, and bobcats. Additionally, fish species include sunfish, largemouth bass, white bass, spotted gar, and catfish. Finally, bird species include the great-horned owl, screech owl, wild turkey, greater roadrunner, and great blue heron.