This iron-plate landmark, which still stands though it’s inoperative and closed to the public, began operation in 1852. During the great hurricane that wrecked Galveston in 1900, more than a hundred people survived by crowding onto its spiral staircase to escape the tidal surge.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
Can’t it rust through and become dangerous? After all, 150 years is a lot of time for iron.
Don’t know. Somebody must be taking care of it. At least painting it. Or it would be orange by now.