Focus on Texas: Water Towers

Readers point out community fixtures that stand above the rest

By Ashley Clary-Carpenter November 2012

South Plains EC member Becca Bridge has been climbing this old water tower in Afton her whole life. As an adult, she says she climbs it for a better ‘view’ and perspective on life.

‘Time has taken its toll on this little old water tower,’ says Lighthouse EC member Carolyn Cunningham of the tower outside Lockney.

Pedernales EC member Daniel Martin sent in this photo of the iconic leaning water tower just east of Groom along the former Route 66 (now Interstate 40).

Lamar County EC member Kevin Whitley took this picture of Emory’s water tower using a solarizing filter.

In the dead of winter, the historic Gruene water tower watches over the sleepy town. Pedernales EC member Larry Morris sent in the photo.

Kevin Whitley, Lamar County EC, liked the juxtaposition of the water tower with the grain silos and railroad in Windom.

Victoria EC’s Janice Carriger has been through Eden many times over the years but only recently noticed its water tower.

Timothy Benson, Lyntegar EC, says he was thankful for the storms rolling across West Texas on this September evening.

Heather Picket, Pedernales EC, says she was inspired by the new day when she took this photo of an old water tower in Leander.

Magic Valley EC’s Pedro Ramirez says this water tower in Weslaco gets lighted after a varsity football victory.

CoServ EC’s Sandy Mulch took this photo and explains: Legend has it that the design on the Flower Mound water tower was rendered from a photograph of one of breeder Steve and Faith Epley’s horses, and some are shown here.

A water tower stands watch over a ghostly corner on U.S. Highway 281 in Evant. Victoria Dearing, United Cooperative Services, submitted this photo.

Linda Tipton, Nueces EC, spotted this old tower in Petronilla.

These stoic sentinels stand watch over Texas towns generation after generation. While life below continues to change, while kids grow up and move away or maybe stay and have kids of their own, the local water tower remains. We favored history over novelty this month, as you can tell from most of our favorites.