Pic Today 8/22/12

MAGNIFICENT WATER TOWER

IN ST. LOUIS

Before water towers were nothing more

than "tanks on towers",

there was a time (in the 19th century)

when "stand pipe" water towers

were built in the French Romanesque style,

of lime stone with grand Victorian flair.

The Compton Hill Water Tower

was an engineering masterpiece,

built in the late 19th century on Grand Avenue

on the highest point in St. Louis,

as part of the Compton Hill Reservoir.

The reservoir project was an important part

of the city's public water supply system.

Steam pumps circulated water throughout

the city's pipes to homes and businesses.

Occasionally, pumps created dangerous surges in water pressure.

To equalize the pressure, a standpipe

(measuring 5' wide x 100' tall) was built.

This magnificent tower was designed and built

to cover and camouflage the stand pipe,

and let the water level surge up and down, freely.

Even though the stand pipe was discontinued

some 90 years ago, the tower remains as a landmark today.

(Included in the National Registry of Historic Places.)

Interestingly, only 7 "stand pipe" water towers

remain standing in the U.S. today.

3 of them are located in the city of St. Louis

(Bissell, Grand and Compton.)

Each one is architectually unique.

(Tours are available to climb the 198 iron steps

to the top, for a wonderful view of the city.)