Circleville Water Tower
Circleville, OH Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Here is the pumpkin painted water tower in Circleville, OH. Every autumn for almost 100 years they have held a pumpkin festival here called "The Pumpkin Show" so why not paint the water tower as a gigantic pumpkin, complete with stem? Check out the Circleville Pumpkin Tower as the cars park around it. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 03-07
Circleville has celebrated the Pumpkin Show since 1903, so turning the town's million-gallon water tower into a giant pumpkin just seemed like the natural thing to do. Painted bright orange and topped with a giant stem, it's become one of Ohio's most photographed water towers and a favorite stop for roadside enthusiasts.
Whether you're visiting during the annual festival or just passing through on a road trip, it's hard not to smile when you spot this oversized pumpkin rising above the skyline. It's a fun reminder that even something as ordinary as a water tower can become a hometown icon.
UPDATE: The Pumpkin Water Tower still stands proudly over Circleville and remains one of the town's best-known landmarks. If you're headed to the Pumpkin Show, don't forget to look up. 07-26
Milan Water Tower
Milan, OH Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Milan Water Tower may not be flashy, but it stands over one of Ohio's most historic small towns. Milan is best known as the birthplace of Thomas Edison, and visitors often stop by to tour his childhood home before exploring the rest of this charming community. Photo courtesy Richard Weiss. 06-07
While the water tower serves a practical purpose for the village, it has also become a familiar landmark for travelers passing through town. Rising above the rooftops, it's an easy reminder that you've arrived in the hometown of one of America's greatest inventors.
If you're making the trip to Milan, be sure to spend a little time exploring beyond the water tower. The historic downtown, Edison Birthplace Museum, and quiet streets offer a glimpse into the town where one of history's most influential minds began his journey.
UPDATE: The Milan Water Tower continues to serve the village and remains a familiar sight overlooking the birthplace of Thomas Edison. 07-26
Smiley Face Water Tower (Gone)
Rantoul, IL Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Smiley Face Water Tower was one of those roadside landmarks that couldn't help but brighten your day. Located just south of Rantoul near Thomasboro, the giant water tower greeted travelers with a huge smile that was impossible to miss from Interstate 57. Photo courtesy Richard Weiss. 06-07
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most memorable. Instead of plain lettering or a town logo, this tower wore a giant smiley face that made it a favorite among roadside photographers and anyone passing through central Illinois.
Unfortunately, the smiling landmark didn't last forever. The tower was removed by 2017, leaving behind only photographs and memories of one of Illinois' more cheerful roadside attractions.
UPDATE: The Smiley Face Water Tower has been removed and is no longer standing. 07-26
Water Tower
Burr Oak, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Burr Oak Water Tower rises above this quiet southern Michigan village, serving as a familiar landmark for both residents and travelers passing through town. While it may not have a flashy paint scheme or oversized decoration, it's one of those small-town water towers that helps define the local skyline. Photo courtesy Richard Weiss. 02-08
Burr Oak has a long railroad history, and before the current water tower stood watch over the village, an earlier railroad water tower occupied the area. That wooden structure was destroyed by fire in 1909, becoming just another chapter in the town's history.
Today, the modern water tower continues to serve the community while overlooking the village much as its predecessor once did. Sometimes it's the simple roadside landmarks that best capture the character of small-town America.
UPDATE: The Burr Oak Water Tower continues to serve the village and remains a familiar landmark in southern Michigan. 07-26
Fowlerville Water Tower (Gone)
Fowlerville, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Fowlerville Water Tower was a familiar landmark for years, standing proudly over the village with a painted tribute to the Fowlerville High School Gladiators. It was one of those hometown water towers that reflected the community it served. Photo courtesy Richard Weiss. 02-08
Located near the corner of Power and Ann streets, the tower watched over downtown for decades before eventually being retired and removed. While newer water facilities now serve the village, many longtime residents still remember the old Gladiator tower as part of Fowlerville's skyline.
Like many vintage water towers, it quietly disappeared as newer infrastructure took its place. Fortunately, photos like this one preserve a piece of local history that can no longer be seen in person.
UPDATE: The original Gladiator water tower has been removed and replaced by newer municipal water facilities. 07-26
Water Tower
Ashley, IN Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Ashley is one of the places you can a water tower painted like a 70's smiley face. This town is quite proud of this as evident by the welcome sign greeting you as you near downtown. This is the only smiley face tower I have seen that wears a bow tie. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 02-08
While there are several smiley face water towers scattered around the Midwest, Ashley's is the only one I've seen sporting a bow tie. That little touch gives it plenty of personality and makes it one of the more memorable examples of roadside Americana.
The tower has become a symbol of the community, greeting visitors with a smile that's visible from miles away. Whether you're passing through on Interstate 69 or making a detour into town, it's one of those landmarks that's almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Water Tower
Ashley, IN Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Ashley has embraced its cheerful mascot over the years, earning the nickname "Smileytown." It's a fun example of how a simple municipal water tower can become the identity of an entire community, giving visitors something to remember long after they've driven away.
If you're a fan of unusual water towers, this one is definitely worth a stop. Between the giant grin, oversized eyes, and that unmistakable bow tie, it's one of the most distinctive water towers you'll find anywhere in the Midwest.
UPDATE: The Ashley Smiley Face Water Tower continues to watch over "Smileytown" and remains one of Indiana's best-known roadside attractions. 07-26
Milan Water Tower
Smiley Face Water Tower (Gone)
Water Tower
Fowlerville Water Tower (Gone)
