The Water Tower might be gone, but it’s not forgotten

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

Every small town has one. It stands in the middle of the town and can be seen from every street corner. The hometown water tower is a source of pride. It is usually the first landmark to be recognized. The town name is boldly painted on it high above for all to see.

Poplar Bluff was no different. Its water tower was at the corner of highways 60 and 67. Some knew it as the corner of Westwood Boulevard and Pine Street.

It was 105 feet high and on top of a hill. Maintenance crews could feel it sway in the wind. It could be seen from the football field and the church. People used it to give directions “One block south of the water tower.”

Our water tower was built in 1929. It was a huge expense and engineering undertaking for the small town just trying to rebuild two years after the devastating tornado.

The steel for the tower came by train. It was unloaded on the Vine Street siding and carried to the hilltop by four mules.

Originally, the tank did not have a cover. It saved on pumping costs by collecting rainwater. Soon the high school students discovered this and began swimming in the water tank. This caused the city to cover the tank.

“POPLAR BLUFF” was painted on the metal-colored tank. The tank would later be painted white. The tank was decorated every year with Christmas Lights and the words “Merry Christmas” could be seen for miles.

As the town grew, the demand for water became greater.

The tower could not continue meeting the needs of the community.

Increasing regulations and maintenance costs became a burden on the rusting tower.

Painting the tank could no longer be accomplished since the paint would spray passing vehicles on Highway 60/64.

In 2011, the beloved Poplar Bluff water tank was disassembled after 84 years of service. Since then, two larger water tanks were erected to meet the needs of the growing town.

We still look for the old water tower. The top of the hill at the intersection of Highway 60/64 is empty, but we remember.

We still give directions “Remember where the old water tower used to be? Go there and turn left.”

The water tower lives on in the Poplar Bluff Museum. There is a nine-foot painting of the tower is located in the stairway. A giant model of the tower also stands next to the painting. Pieces of the tank are on display so we can still touch our old friend and feel the memories.

The museum is open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St. Tell them Mike sent you.

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.