Friday, June 27, 2014

#109: Grand Avenue Water Tower

In the way northern part of the city lies the oldest water tower standing in St. Louis. The Grand Avenue water tower was built by architect George Barnett in 1871. It had quite a short life as it was used for fighting fires and providing water supply. There was a 5 feet standpipe as well as spiral staircase inside the tower; those have both been removed. In 1912, the tower was decommissioned. After that time, the tower was used by putting beacons on top of the tower as navigational aids for Lambert airport. Legend has it that Charles Lindbergh found the tower very useful as he was trying to land in foggy weather. The tower has been saved numerous times from demolition. It wasn't until 1998 that the tower was lit with floodlights and restored.

Also called the 'Old White' Water Tower. This is only one of seven historic standpipe water towers left in the United States. Three of them are in St. Louis: Grand Avenue, Bissell and the Compton Hill.
And now, the tower...

Top of the cake

Right side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Close look at the bottom of the tower

Advice for getting the cake: this one was quite a challenge as well as a safety issue. Around the water tower is a turnabout and it is hard to tell where cars are going to turn. I strongly suggest using caution when getting this cake. The cake is right on the road in front of a fence, so...hope for careful drivers! I parked at Dollar General, which wasn't far.

Wikipedia link


2001 East Grand, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63107
Cake artist: Gina Harmon

No comments:

Post a Comment