#pittsburghdesmoinessteel — Public Fediverse posts

Working list: Tallest “Tin Man” water towers in the USA

Source: archive.org Source: cannerydistrict.com Source: archive.org

Probably those most beloved style of water tower, “Tin Man” tanks have been around well over a century. These tend to come in two styles – the shape of a standard soup can with a pointed cap roof and rounded hemispherical bottom (see image above), and – a wider, more stout version of the same design shaped like a can of Crisco (see image just below). While included in the listings, these towers are not identified as “Tin Man” towers due to the tank’s wider girth.

Source: waterworld.com

Both versions are charming, though the narrower version is more common and better resembles the Tin Woodman from the Wizard of Oz. Speaking of which, the nickname “Tin Man” for these water towers largely arose from that character (see quote and image below).

“The ‘Tin Man’ towers were nicknamed for their shape: a conical roof with a ball finial, reminiscent of the ‘Wizard of Oz’ character.” 

Source: stlnpr.org

Source: pinterest.com

The first list identifies the tallest “Tin Man” water towers for whom the data is available on the internet. The second is a partial list of those towers for whom the height is currently unknown. As more data is collected and found, this list will be updated accordingly.

Sadly, as time passes more and more of these charming, quaint structures are being lost to time, neglect, and shortsightedness. As a result, a third list is provided below the initial list of sources identifying those “Tin Man” water towers lost in recent years.

Source: mysanantonio.com

Thankfully, a number of communities across the country have found the funds and wherewithal to preserve, protect, and promote their historic “Tin Man” water towers as iconic focal points of downtown or a public park, as historic structures, as a branding option with the town logo, or as centerpieces of vibrant and active entertainment venues. Below are examples of cities/towns that deserve kudos for their successful preservation efforts (with photos of each water tower):

Arvada, Colorado

Source: youtube.com

Belen, New Mexico

Source: photo by author

Bozeman, Montana

Source: cannerydistrict.com

Franklin, Tennessee

Source: williamsonsource.com

Gilbert, Arizona

Source: gilbertaz.gov

Little Elm, Texas

Source: dunaway.com

Millstadt, Illinois

Source: republictimes.net

Manassas, Virginia

Source: dhr.virginia.gov

Oshkosh, Nebraska

Source: visitgardencounty.com

Yelm, Washington

Source: thurstontalk.com

Hopefully, more places will see the benefit(s) of rehabilitating and caring for their iconic “Tin Man” water towers so they can remain an integral part of the historic and cultural vibe of the community.

Peace!

_______

1. Marston “Tin Man” Water Tower (1897): Iowa State University, IA = 168 feet

2. Millstadt “Tin Man” Water Tower (1931): Millstadt, IL = 164 feet

3. Olde Town Arvada “Tin Man” Water Tower (1910): Arvada, CO = 152 feet

4. Roanoke “Tin Man” Water Tower (1936): Roanoke, TX ~ 150 feet

5-6. Manassas “Tin Man” Water Tower (1914): Manassas, Virginia and Riverhead “Tin Man” Water Tower (1968): Riverhead, NY = 147 feet

7. Paramount Studios “Tin Man” Water Tower: Los Angeles, CA = 145 feet

8. Jackson Street “Tin Man” Water Tower (1920): Elk River, MN = 137 feet

9. West “Tin Man” Water Tower (1928): Orion, IL = 136.5 feet

10. Warner Bros. “Tin Man” Water Tower (1927): Burbank, CA = 133 feet

11. Round Rock “Tin Man” Water Tower (1935): Round Rock, TX = 130 feet

12. University Park “Tin Man” Water Tower (ca 1930): Stockton, CA = 129 feet

13. Corning “Tin Man” Water Tower (1932): Corning, California = 128 feet

14. University Heights “Tin Man” Water Tower (1898): San Diego, California = 127.5 feet

15. Osseo “Tin Man” Water Tower (1915): Osseo, MN = 127.25 feet

16. Gilbert “Tin Man” Water Tower (1925): Gilbert, Arizona = 126 feet

17-19. Yelm “Tin Man” Water Tower (1946): Yelm, WA; Cuthbert “Tin Man” Water Tower (1895): Cuthbert, GA; and Bunnell “Tin Man” Water Tower (1927): Bunnell, FL = 125 feet

20. Oshkosh “Tin Man” Water Tower (1920): Oshkosh, NE = 120 feet

21-22. Red “Tin Man” Water Tower at the Factory (1930): Franklin, TN and Placentia “Tin Man” Water Tank (1935): Placentia, CA = 110 feet

23-25. Oregon “Tin Man” Water Tower (1921): Oregon, WI and Bandera “Tin Man” Water Tower (1941): Bandera, TX; and Belen “Tin Man” Water Tower (1928): Belen, NM = 100 feet

26. Grand Mound “Tin Man” Water Tower (1915): Grand Mound, IA = 80 feet

27. BHS Driller Country “Tin Man” Water Tower (1933): Bakersfield, CA = 60 feet

Beloved “Driller Country Water Tower preserved at Kern Pioneer Village – Source: bakersfield.com

_______

More information needed (partial list):

• Falkville “Tin Man” Water Tower (1936): Falkville, AL
• Beardon “Tin Man” Water Tower: Bearden, AR
• Cotter “Tin Man” Water Tower (1935): Cotter, AR
• Cotton Plant “Tin Man” Water Tower (1935): Cotton Plant, AR
• De Valls Bluff “Tin Man” Water Tower (1936): De Valls Bluff, AR
• Green Forest “Tin Man” Water Tower (1937): Green Forest, AR
• Hampton “Tin Man” Water Tower (1937): Hampton AR
• Hartford “Tin Man” Water Tower (1936): Hartford, AR
• Hughes “Tin Man” Water Tower (1936): Hughes, AR
• Keiser “Tin Man” Water Tower (1936): Keiser, AR
• Lockesburg “Tin Man” Water Tower (1936): Lockesburg, AR
• Mineral Springs “Tin Man” Water Tower (1936): Mineral Springs, AR
• Rison “Tin Man” Water Tower: Rison, AR
• Tuckerman “Tin Man” Water Tower (1935): Tuckerman, AR
• Tyronza “Tin Man” Water Tower (1935): Tyronza, AR
• Ash Fork Water Tower: Ash Fork, AZ
• Kingman “Tin Man” Water Tower: Kingman, AZ
• RV Resort “Tin Man” Water Tower: AZ
• Loma Citas “TinMan” Water Tower: Coronado, CA
• Galt “Tin Man” Water Tower (1936): Galt, CA
• Hunt’s Cannery “Tin Man” Water Tower: Hayward, CA
• Ramah “Tin Man” Water Tower: Ramah, CO
• Eatonville “Tin Man” Water Tower (1887): Eatonville, FL
• Lake Helen “Tin Man” Water Tower: Lake Helen, FL
• Florida Natural “Tin Man” Water Tower: Lake Wales, FL
• Dexter “Tin Man” Water Tower: Dexter, IA
• Red Oak “Tin Man” Water Tower: Red Oak, IA
• Post Falls “Tin Man” Water Tower: Post Falls, ID
• Garrett “Tin Man” Water Tower: Garrett, IN
• Princeton “Tin Man” Water Tower: Princeton, IN
• South Whitley “Tin Man” Water Tower: South Whitley, IN
• Goodland “Tin Man” Water Tower: Goodland, KS
• Hot & Cold “Tin Man” Water Towers: Pratt, KS
• Midway “Tin Man” Water Tower (1940s): Midway, KY
• Smithland “Tin Man” Water Tower: Smithland, KY
• Baldwin “Tin Man” Water Tower: Baldwin, ME
• Brownsdale “Tin Man” Water Tower: Brownsdale, MN
• Deerwood “Tin Man” Water Tower (1914): Deerwood, MN
• Easton “Tin Man” Water Tower (1911): Easton, MN
• Fairfax “Tin Man” Water Tower: Fairfax, MN
• Freeport “Tin Man” Water Tower (1920s): Freeport, MN
• Madison “Tin Man” Water Tower (1946): Madison, MS
• Cannery District “Tin Man” Water Tower: Bozeman, MT
• North Carolina Finishing Co. Twin “Tin Man” Water Towers: East Spencer, NC
• Glencoe Mill “Tin Man” Water Tower #1 (1905): Glencoe, NC
• Glencoe Mill “Tin Man” Water Tower #2: Glencoe, NC
• SPCC “Tin Man” Water Tower: Wadesboro, NC
• Minto “Tin Man” Water Tower: Minto, ND
• Dawson “Tin Man” Water Tower: Dawson, NE
• Ford Assembly Plant Water Tower: Omaha, NE
• Superior “Tin Man” Water Tower: Superior, NE
• New Mexico Timber Co. “Tin Man” Water Tower: Bernalillo, NM
• “Tin Man” Water Tower: Los Lunas, NM
• Waterford “Tin Man” Water Tower: Waterford, NY
• Wilson NFL “Tin Man”Water Tower: Ada, OH
• Chilo “Tin Man” Water Tower: Chilo, OH
• Jeffersonville “Tin Man” Water Tower: Jeffersonville, OH
• Laura “Tin Man” Water Tower: Laura, OH
• Smithfield “Tin Man” Water Tower: Smithfield, OH
• Randlett Park “Tin Man” Water Tower (1920s): Anadarko, OK
• Boise City “Tin Man” Water Tower: Boise City, OK
• Manchester “Tin Man” Water Tower: Manchester, OK
• Vian “Tin Man” Water Tower: Vian, OK
• Cliff “Tin Man” Water Tower
• Menlo “Tin Man” Water Tower
• Crook “Tin Man” Water Tower
• Ovid “Tin Man” Water Tower:
• Ainsworth “Tin Man” Water Tower
• Pilot Point “Tin Man” Water Tower
• Ridgeway “Tin Man” Water Tower (1923): Ridgeway, SC
• Downtown “Tin Man” Water Tower: Ripley, TN
• Anton “Tin Man” Water Tower: Anton, TX
• Penn Field “Tin Man” Water Tower (1918): Austin (south), TX
• Big Wells Bulldogs “Tin Man” Water Tower: Big Wells, TX
• Bremond “Tin Man” Water Tower: Bremond, TX
• Cotulla “Tin Man” Water Tower: Cotula, TX
• Crawford Pirates “Tin Man” Water Tower: Crawford, TX
• Deport “Tin Man” Water Tower: Deport, TX
• Elkhart “Tin Man” Water Tower: Elkhart, TX
• Frisco “Tin Man” Water Tower: Frisco, TX
• Gunter “Tin Man” Water Tower: Gunter, TX
• Higgins “Tin Man’ Water Tower: Higgins, TX
• Imperial Water Tower: Imperial, TX
• Keller “Tin Man” Water Tower: Keller, TX
• Kosse “Tin Man” Water Tower: Kosse, TX
• Water Tower #4 “Tin Man”: Kyle, TX
• Linden “Tin Man” Water Tower (1936), TX
• Little Elm “Tin Man” Water Tower, TX
• Matador “Tin Man” Water Tower: Matador, TX
• Pflugerville “Tin Man” Water Tower: Pflugerville, TX
• Rowlett “Tin Man” Water Tower: Rowlett, TX
• Lone Star Brewery “Tin Man” Water Tower: San Antonio, TX
• Smithville “Tin Man” Water Tower: Smithville, TX
• Brodhead “Tin Man” Water Tower (1921): Brodhead, WI
• Main Street “Tin Man” Water Tower (1928): Waunakee, WI

***A list of recently lost “Tin Man” water towers and the year they were torn down is provided after the sources.***

SOURCES:

• https://www.republictimes.net/millstadts-tin-man-shines-again/
• https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM16NR6_Tin_Man_Water_Tower_Crawford_TX
• https://flaglercountyhistoricalsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Bunnell-Water-Tower-1.pdf
• https://www.stlpr.org/arts/2016-01-22/saving-the-tin-man-preservationists-hope-to-give-millstadt-water-tower-a-new-coat-of-paint
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=232896
• https://www.pinterest.com/pin/water-tower-in-smithville-texas-is-also-known-as-the-tin-man–502503270896179307/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_Springs_Waterworks
• https://web.archive.org/web/20160306004345/http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/pdfs/223182.pdf
• pinterest.com
• flickr.com
• gemini.google.ai
• perplexity.ai
• https://dunaway.com/project/the-lawn-at-lake-front/
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=237365
• https://www.news-bulletin.com/news/belen-water-tower-designated-as-historic-landmark/article_fbf3423e-a703-58e0-b8a3-69a8daa78cb3.html
• https://savingplaces.org/stories/return-of-the-tin-man-in-oregon-wisconsin
• https://midwayky.blogspot.com/2013/04/council-moves-to-put-big-water-tower.html
• https://www.pinterest.com/pin/the-red-tin-man-water-tower-at-the-factory–290834088449137581/
• https://thinkerphoto.com/2023/08/11/1350/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRpwBpSrEnw
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=160713
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=244428
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=166916
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=238075
• https://web.archive.org/web/20180223110923/http://www.mnhs.org/shpo/nrhp/docs_pdfs/0121_osseowatertower.pdf
• https://www.waunakeeutilities.com/history
• https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm16HW3_Tin_Man_Water_Tower_Kosse_TX
• https://www.arkansasheritage.com/docs/default-source/national-registry/SV0100-pdf
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Water_towers_on_the_National_Register_of_Historic_Places_by_state
• https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/1981/sep/17/feature-water-towers/
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/porchdog/2713301649
• https://www.pinterest.com/pin/217932069452918155/
• https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm158QK_Tin_Man_Water_Tower_Matador_TX
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyronza_Water_Tower
• https://www.newhistory.com/eastonwatertower
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuckerman_Water_Tower
• https://dunaway.com/project/the-lawn-at-lake-front/
• https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wmD3G1_Randlett_Water_Tower_Anadarko_OK
• https://history.nebraska.gov/seven-new-additions-to-the-national-register-of-historic-places/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Mound_Town_Hall_and_Waterworks_Historic_District
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=72322
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=196618
• https://www.bakersfield.com/entertainment/power-to-the-tower-museum-needs-funds-for-bhs-landmark/article_70670b62-e350-5213-8cf9-63b1756e5113.html
• https://www.dreamstime.com/historic-brodhead-wisconsin-water-tower-looking-up-built-des-moines-pittsburgh-steel-company-image155691960
• https://pbase.com/xradiotx/water_towers_of_texas&page=all
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=262180
• http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasPanhandleTowns/Higgins-Texas.htm
• https://thinkerphoto.com/2024/06/05/the-south-austin-tin-man/
• https://thinkerphoto.com/2024/06/06/the-lone-star-tin-man/
• https://www.blythewoodonline.com/2023/09/saluting-100-years-of-the-tin-man/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20140201220450/http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/historic-properties/_search_nomination_popup.aspx?id=2412
• https://archive.ph/20130117051504/http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/historic-properties/_search_nomination_popup.aspx?id=2368
• https://archive.ph/20130117064422/http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/historic-properties/_search_nomination_popup.aspx?id=2272
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=221236
• https://www.arkansasheritage.com/docs/default-source/national-registry/SB0891-pdf
• https://www.arkansasheritage.com/docs/default-source/national-registry/SF0064-pdf
• https://web.archive.org/web/20141213012948/http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/%21userfiles/MS0310.nr.pdf
• https://www.arkansasheritage.com/docs/default-source/national-registry/CR2086-pdf

Those “Tin Man” water towers sadly lost to time, neglect, or shortsightedness:

Alamo Heights, TX (2013) – an image is provided above in the main blogpost.

Aledo, TX (2009)

Brookings, SD (2019)

Brookport, IL (2015)

Cokato MN (2006)

Dorchester, NE (2013)

Gaylord, MN (2016)

Grand Forks, ND (2009)

Groveport, OH (2015)

Independence, MO (2025)

Mabais Plantation, AL (2024)

Martinsville, IL (2023)

UC Merced, CA (2021)

Shiloh, WA (2024)

Stamford, TX (2024)

Texas A & M University “Tin Man” Water Tower (1975)

SOURCES:

• https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/alamo-heights-iconic-tin-man-water-tower-meets-its-doom/273-306413716
• https://www.columbusmessenger.com/old-groveport-water-tower-taken-down.html
• https://maguirewater.com/tin-man-demolished-after-over-100-years-of-service/
• https://martinsvilleil.com/2023/07/02/tin-man/
• https://dorchestertimes.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-back-dorchesters-old-water-tower.html
• https://www.delanoheraldjournal.com/articles/archives/cokato-woman-writes-song-about-water-tower-dismantling/
• https://spirit.txamfoundation.com/Winter-2025/Its-How-You-Know-Aggieland-Is-Within-Sight.aspx#:~:text=In%201975%2C%20a%20new%20186,and%20befitting%20of%20Texas%20A&M.
• https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/demolition-of-brookport-s-tin-man-set-for-monday/article_69133a30-24df-50f0-8e8c-373dc842c6cc.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjxlLweRMZk
• https://www.aledotimesrecord.com/story/news/2009/10/01/downpour-doesn-t-thwart-downing/63603078007/
• https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article299382399.html
• https://newscut.mprnews.org/2016/08/ode-to-a-water-tower/index.html
• https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/video/stamford-demolishes-old-water-tower-in-response-to-20-million-grant/9471952/
• https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/video/stamford-demolishes-old-water-tower-in-response-to-20-million-grant/9471952/
• https://www.pinterest.com/pin/296745062959131337/
• https://mercedcountytimes.com/once-upon-a-time-in-merced-county-170-years-ago/#:~:text=90%20years%20ago%20(1934)%2C,largest%20elevated%20tank%20in%20California.

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