The Tallest Structure in Oklahoma Towers Over Most Skyscrapers

The tallest structures in the world get less publicity than the tallest buildings. Though the top spots in this category are buildings (Burj Khalifa and Tokyo Skytree), most are communications masts and towers. Oklahoma is not known for skyscrapers, but it is home to one of the tallest radio masts in the world, which is also the tallest structure in the state. What is the name of this mast?

The Tallest Structure in Oklahoma: Perry Broadcasting Tower

Perry Broadcasting Tower stands 2,000 feet (609.5 meters) tall and is supported by massive cable stays. It was constructed in 2004 for Perry Publishing and Broadcasting on property leased by Perry about 60 miles west of Oklahoma City. The mast is a towering presence over the flat countryside of Oklahoma.

Perry Broadcasting Tower: Where It Is Located

You can see the tower in Alfalfa, OK, near N 2460 Rd., about 60 miles from Oklahoma City. There’s nothing even approaching its height for miles around, and there are no hills to hide it from view.

The Purpose of the Perry Broadcasting Tower

It was built as a broadcast tower for KVSP 103.5 FM, a radio station owned by Perry Broadcasting, with studios in Oklahoma City. KVSP broadcasts programming in an urban format throughout Oklahoma with a 100,000-watt signal reaching locations as far off as Texas and Kansas.

Construction of the Tallest Structure in Oklahoma

The 2,000-foot-tall structure is one of the tallest ones the FAA has approved. The approving agency had to perform multiple aeronautical studies to find a location where the colossal radio mast would not interfere with procedures for an instrument approach to airports. ERI Installations, Inc. built the tower in five months in 2004. It is located on 360 acres leased by Perry for 50 years and an option for an additional 50.

Wildlife Near the Perry Broadcasting Tower

Perry Broadcasting had to assure wildlife officials that the tower would not disrupt bird migration patterns. These would be birds such as bald eagles, whooping cranes, swans, geese, American white pelicans, and lesser prairie chickens. Oklahoma also has songbirds such as cardinals, grosbeaks, buntings, and tanagers. Birds of prey include owls, ospreys, kites, hawks, and vultures.

Other animals you might find in the area include white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black bears. Smaller animals include shrews, moles, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, weasels, ferrets, mink, badgers, and armadillos. Beavers, porcupines, opossums, and groundhogs also live here. Reptiles and amphibians include copperheads, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes, skinks, horned lizards, snapping turtles, salamanders, and frogs.

Where is The Perry Broadcasting Tower Located on a Map?

Conclusion

Oklahoma’s Perry Broadcasting Tower casts quite a shadow throughout the Oklahoma countryside. The cable-stayed communications tower stands 2,000 feet tall and has been Oklahoma’s largest structure since its construction in 2004.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock.com

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