PAGE1

HISTORY

The Compton Hill Water Tower is a remnant of another time. When it was built, William McKinley was president, and the population of St. Louis was just over half a million. The water tower was built on a 36 acre park, called Reservoir Park, where the wealthier families of German descent chose to make their homes. But the city was outgrowing the existing water delivery system. The pumps used to send water through the city created dangerous surges in pressure, making pipes rattle and shake. In an effort to equalize water pressure, a 50 feet wide, 100 feet tall standpipe was installed. For cosmetic appeal, the tower was built in 1898 to camouflage the standpipe.

Built in a French Romanesque style, rusticated limestone, buff brick and terra cotta color its facades. A griffin carved in limestone and vine like scrolls on the base carry the themes of the structure into its details. Inside, iron steps spiral around the standpipe. On the top of the tower, under a bell-shaped roof of terra cotta tiles, is an observation deck offering a 360-degree view of St. Louis city.

The Compton Hill Water Tower at Grand and Russell Boulevards was opened for service in 1899. At 179 feet, the water tower dominates South Grand Boulevard and serves as a source of pride and identity for the surrounding neighborhoods. Reservoir Park's beautifully landscaped grounds with water lily ponds and fountains drew as many as 5,000 people during the 1904 World's Fair. Visitors enjoyed promenading around the reservoir on pleasant days.

When the Stacy Park Reservoir went into service in 1929, the Compton Hill Tower was retired, but the reservoir remained in operation. Although the Compton Hill standpipe was no longer needed, the tower was occasionally opened to the public for tours. Visitors could climb the interior stairs to the observation room nrear the top and get one of the best views of the city. David Visintainer, St. Louis City Water Commissioner, said, "On a clear day, you can see to the south all the way to the Jefferson Barracks Bridge on the Mississippi River."

Water towers are a rarity today. Once over 400 water towers punctuated the skylines of American cities and towns. St. Louis can claim three of the seven remaining water towers in the United States. All St. Louis' water towers have been declared Historical Landmarks. The Compton Hill Tower was declared a city landmark in 1966, added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1972.

However, the tower has to be closed to the public in 1984 when it was discovered that asbestos surrounded the metal tank in the tower's core. For more than ten years the water tower stood untouched and deterioration took over. Asbestos was exposed, large cracks were forming, windows were missing or broken, and the terra cotta roof needed repairs.

Meanwhile, the reservoir was still in use, but if repairs were not made soon, problems were imminent. Architectural detail on walls had weathered away and the walls and roof were crumbling. Not only was the reservoir vunerable in an earthquake, but its roof would have been replaced in a short time or risk contaminants leaking into the water. The existing system of pipes delivering water to and from the reservoir was also inefficient. Water pumped into the reservoir was often immediately pulled out for use; allowing water already in the reservoir to grow "stale". Before this became a water purity problem, water company officials wanted to make steps to correct the problems.

In 1995, city officials faced the difficult decision of demolishing, replacing or restoring the water tower and reservoir. Surrounding neighborhoods were very vocal about keeping the landmark preserved. The neighborhoods include . After months of studying and several public hearings, a $19 million renovation began.

The Compton Hill Water Tower is a remnant of another time. When it was built, William McKinley was president, and the population of St. Louis was just over half a million. The water tower was built on a 36 acre park, called Reservoir Park, where the wealthier families of German descent chose to make their homes. But the city was outgrowing the existing water delivery system. The pumps used to send water through the city created dangerous surges in pressure, making pipes rattle and shake. In an effort to equalize water pressure, a 50 feet wide, 100 feet tall standpipe was installed. For cosmetic appeal, the tower was built in 1898 to camouflage the standpipe.
	Built in a French Romanesque style, rusticated limestone, buff brick and terra cotta color its facades. A griffin carved in limestone and vine like scrolls on the base carry the themes of the structure into its details. Inside, iron steps spiral around the standpipe. On the top of the tower, under a bell-shaped roof of terra cotta tiles, is an observation deck offering a 360-degree view of St. Louis city. The Compton Hill Water Tower at Grand and Russell Boulevards was opened for service in 1899. At 179 feet, the water tower dominates South Grand Boulevard and serves as a source of pride and identity for the surrounding neighborhoods. Reservoir Park's beautifully landscaped grounds with water lily ponds and fountains drew as many as 5,000 people during the 1904 World's Fair. Visitors enjoyed promenading around the reservoir on pleasant days.
When the Stacy Park Reservoir went into service in 1929, the Compton Hill Tower was retired, but the reservoir remained in operation. Although the Compton Hill standpipe was no longer needed, the tower was occasionally opened to the public for tours. Visitors could climb the interior stairs to the observation room nrear the top and get one of the best views of the city. David Visintainer, St. Louis City Water Commissioner, said, "On a clear day, you can see to the south all the way to the Jefferson Barracks Bridge on the Mississippi River." Water towers are a rarity today. Once over 400 water towers punctuated the skylines of American cities and towns. St. Louis can claim three of the seven remaining water towers in the United States. All St. Louis' water towers have been declared Historical Landmarks. The Compton Hill Tower was declared a city landmark in 1966, added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1972.
However, the tower has to be closed to the public in 1984 when it was discovered that asbestos surrounded the metal tank in the tower's core. For more than ten years the water tower stood untouched and deterioration took over. Asbestos was exposed, large cracks were forming, windows were missing or broken, and the terra cotta roof needed repairs.
Meanwhile, the reservoir was still in use, but if repairs were not made soon, problems were imminent. Architectural detail on walls had weathered away and the walls and roof were crumbling. Not only was the reservoir vunerable in an earthquake, but its roof would have been replaced in a short time or risk contaminants leaking into the water. The existing system of pipes delivering water to and from the reservoir was also inefficient. Water pumped into the reservoir was often immediately pulled out for use; allowing water already in the reservoir to grow "stale". Before this became a water purity problem, water company officials wanted to make steps to correct the problems. In 1995, city officials faced the difficult decision of demolishing, replacing or restoring the water tower and reservoir. Surrounding neighborhoods were very vocal about keeping the landmark preserved. The neighborhoods include . After months of studying and several public hearings, a $19 million renovation began.