This is thought to be the last surviving zeppelin mooring mast on a building. When it was built it was commonly expected that zeppelins would become common. The Thomas Jefferson Hotel got ahead of the curve by installing this mast. After the Hindenburg Disaster zeppelin transportation was pretty much abandoned.
Blimps and Balloons, Transportation - Aviation
Links: en.wikipedia.org, virtualglobetrotting.com
By: kjfitz