The Value of a Nickel in the 1970s
May 28th, 2016
I remember climbing the monument a long time ago, but I can’t tell you what year. Probably earlier than 1978 or so.
It was a simpler time then. The price to climb was a nickel, collected by a man sitting at the foot of the stairs. Each step was worn in the middle and it was a tight, dizzying climb with a wonderful reward at the top — unobstructed views in all directions.
I was eager to take my children up when we moved back to Baltimore, but by then, the monument was closed to climbers. So they’ve never seen it.