Compton Heights
Historic Neighborhood
Compton Hill Water Tower
Saint Louis, Missouri
Built - 1899
Saint Louis City Landmark - 1966
National Landmark - 1972

Grand History -----

The Compton Hill Water Tower is a remnant of another time. When it was built, William McKinley was president and the Spanish-American War was recent history. The area known as Compton Heights was being settled by wealthy German families and the population of Saint Louis was just over 500,000.

Growing Pains -----

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. Multiple story houses also had difficulty getting water to upper floors. In an effort to equalize water pressure, a standpipe was proposed. Standpipes are large vertical pipes in which a column of water rises and falls to prevent surges. For cosmetic appeal, beautiful towers camouflaged the standpipes. The Compton Hill Reservoir Park, home of the 86 million gallon reservor excavated in 1870, was the ideal location for the standpipe. Harvey Ellis designed the water tower to be built around the standpipe. Compton Hill Water Tower at Grand and Russell Boulevards was placed into service in 1898.

A Beautiful Solution -----

The tower is built in a French Romanesque style. Rusticated limestone, terra cotta and buff brick color its facades. A griffin carved in limestone and vine-like scrolls on the base carry the theme and flavor of the structure into its details. Inside, iron steps spiral around the standpipe. One the top of the tower, under a bell-shaped roof of terra cotta tiles, is an observation deck offering a spectacular 360-degree view.

At 179 feet in height, the water tower dominates South Grand Boulevard and serves as both a focal point and an identify for the surrounding neighborhood. Reservoir Park's beautifully landscaped grounds with water lily ponds and fountains drew as many as 5,000 people on Sundays during the 1904 World's Fair in Saint Louis.

"The Naked Truth" -----

After the World's Fair, interest waned, but was revived a few years later by the unveiling of a controversial statue on May 27, 1914. "The Naked Truth," by Wilhelm Wandschneider of Berlin, was a tribute to three editors of the German language newspaper, "Westliche Post." The nude female form was of heroic size and both surprised and offended many at the unveiling. A significant effort was launched to have it removed. But, "The Naked Truth" survived in 1914, and again years later when it was relocated to allow for the construction of Interstate 44.

Retirement in 1929 -----

When the new 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 near the top and get one of the best views of the city. David Visintainer, Water Commissioner for the city of Saint Louis, says "On a clear day, you can see to the south all the way to the Jefferson Barracks Bridge on the Mississippi River."

In 1932, the reservor was covered to prevent contamination. An added benefit was the installation of tennis courts atop the concrete reservoir.

Compton Hill Tower was declared a city landmark in 1966, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and received landmark status by the American Waterworks Association in 1976.

Time Takes Its Toll -----

The tower was closed to the public in 1984 due to the asbestos insulation wrapping the interior standpipe. Deteriorating roof drainage caused the large crack to form in the exterior brick surface, the terra-cotta roof was in need of repair, and vandalism had taken its toll.

Meanwhile, the reservoir remained in service, but the need for repairs or replacement grew obvious. Concrete architectural details on the walls had weathered away, and staircases were crumbling. The reservoir slopes posed a risk in an earthquake to the surrounding neighborhood, and the integrity of the reservoir's roof was becoming questionable. Also, the system of pipes carrying water to and from the reservoir also was inefficient.

Renovation ---

In 1995, City officials faced the difficult decision of restoring or replacing the reservoir. Surrounding neighborhoods were very concerned about retaining the architectural flavor of the reservoir and its passive park.

There was also an obvious need to stabilize and repair the tower. After months of study and several public forums, a $19 million renovation project began.

The Water Division decided to take action before water quality was jeopardized. Two large water tanks, along with modifications to piping for the reservoir, resulted in improved water circulation and effective usage. It is important to note that, although the old reservoir's water depth was 36 feet, allowing the water level to drop more than 12 feet created water system pressures too low for adequate fire protection. Therefore, two-thirds of the stored water was unnecessary capacity. The new tanks' design and combined capacity of 28 million gallons guarantees the same amount of water as before, all of it being usable and at adequate pressures. The design has resolved any issues of water quality, and made it less vulnerable to seismic events, while allowing its landmark architecture to be preserved.