Phoenixville expects to cut the ribbon on its Phoenix Wheel, the oldest Ferris wheel in existence, in early June.
The 133-year-old Phoenix Wheel delighted thousands of visitors to Asbury Park, the crown jewel of the Jersey Shore, for nearly a century from 1895 to 1988.
Steelworkers in Phoenixville originally crafted the wheel’s steel components in 1893. Now, through the efforts of the Schuylkill River Heritage Center (SRHC), the vintage wheel will proudly rise again, as a 78-foot-high, 68-foot-wide permanent sculpture in the center of Phoenixville.
In October 2025, ground was cleared at the wheel’s site adjacent to the town’s Borough Hall. With Phoenixville Borough overseeing site improvements, local engineer Tom Zeigler and Gern Jaeger, owner of Specialty Metals, are managing the restoration, reassembly, and installation.
“Reassembly of the wheel’s original steel components, including baskets and structural supports, is already underway at a dedicated warehouse,” said SRHC Board member Mike Kajak.
Ribbon-cutting is currently planned for June 6.
The wheel will be illuminated and its base surrounded by glass fencing. Interpretive signage will detail the wheel’s storied history and recognize the support of donors.
“The Phoenix Wheel’s revival is more than just restoring an artifact,” said Barbara Cohen, President of the SRHC, a non-profit museum celebrating the industrial legacy of Phoenixville and the Schuylkill River. “It’s about community, heritage, resilience, and the power of preserving Phoenixville’s unique history for future generations.”
Donations to assist the effort can be made, and donors can also purchase a brick to be placed at the Phoenix Wheel site.
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