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Tesla Lab.

Tesla's Laboratory and Statue

Field review by the editors.

Shoreham, New York

Nikola Tesla was a genius or a mad scientist or perhaps both. He's credited with the development of alternating current as well as the fluorescent tube and the remote control. But his great dream was Wireless Power, the ability to simply broadcast electricity to everyone.

Tesla built a 16 acre laboratory, "Wardenclyffe," at the eastern end of Long Island, and within the compound erected a massive tower, almost 200 feet tall, from which he hoped to beam electric power. But the tower was dynamited in 1917, supposedly to prevent its possible use by German spies. Tesla never had enough money to build another, and died a penniless recluse.

Tesla Street sign.

The laboratory remained and eventually was sold to the Agfa Corp., which polluted the land so thoroughly that it became a Superfund Site, off-limits to everyone (Or at least, that's the official story for fencing it off). But it's still the last surviving Tesla lab, and a local group hopes to turn it into a Tesla Museum when the cleanup is completed -- whenever that will be.

In 2013 -- the 70th anniversary of Tesla's death in obscurity -- the President of Serbia traveled to Shoreham and unveiled a bronze statue of Tesla at the site of his former lab. And in 2014 billionaire Elon Musk reportedly donated $1 million toward opening the museum.

Also see: Tesla, Everyone's Favorite Mad Scientist

Tesla's Laboratory and Statue

Address:
7 Randall Rd, Shoreham, NY
Directions:
On the north side of Hwy 25A just east of N. Country Rd and Randall Rd., and just west of Tesla St. The buildings are off-limits, but you can see the statue. Private property; visible from the street.
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Nearby Offbeat Places

Marconi Radio ShackMarconi Radio Shack, Rocky Point, NY - 2 mi.
Abandoned Nuclear Power PlantAbandoned Nuclear Power Plant, Shoreham, NY - 2 mi.
Pig With WingsPig With Wings, Miller Place, NY - 4 mi.
In the region:
Button Museum, Waterbury, CT - 43 mi.

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