Grand Avenue Water Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grand Avenue Water Tower
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Grand Avenue Water Tower
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| Location | Intersection of E. Grand Avenue and 20th Street St. Louis, Missouri |
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| Built | 1871 |
| Architect | George I. Barnett |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000908 |
| Added to NRHP | April 20, 1970 |
The Grand Avenue Water Tower is a tall structure in St. Louis, Missouri. You can find it where Grand Avenue and 20th Street meet. This amazing tower is the oldest water tower still standing in St. Louis. It was built even before the Bissell Street Water Tower and the Compton Hill Water Tower.
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History of the Grand Avenue Water Tower
The Grand Avenue Water Tower was built in 1871. A famous architect named George I. Barnett designed it. He made it look like a giant Corinthian column. This style of column has fancy, detailed tops. The tower is made of brick, stone, and cast iron.
What the Tower Was Used For
The tower stands about 154 feet (47 meters) tall. Inside, it had a large pipe called a standpipe. This standpipe was five feet wide. Its main job was to hold water. It also helped control the water pressure for the whole area. This was very important for everyday use and for firefighting.
Changes Over Time
In 1912, the water tower was no longer needed for water. So, its standpipe and the spiral staircase inside were taken out. A simple vertical ladder was put in instead. The tower also got a new feature: an aircraft warning light on top. This light helped planes see the tower, especially at night.
In 1998, the Grand Avenue Water Tower was fixed up. Special floodlights were added to light it up at night. This makes it a beautiful sight in the city.
A World Record Holder
The Grand Avenue Water Tower is very special. It is the tallest free-standing Corinthian column in the entire world! At about 154 feet (46.94 meters), it is much taller than other famous Corinthian columns. For example, Pompey's Pillar in Egypt is only about 67 feet (20.46 meters) tall. The Column of the Goths in Turkey is about 61 feet (18.5 meters) tall. This makes the Grand Avenue Water Tower a truly unique landmark.
