Markle Water Tower (Rem.)
Markle, IN
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Markle Water Tower was one of the Midwest's more unusual smiley face towers. Instead of the traditional bright yellow sphere, Markle's version was painted blue and featured a smiley face on an oval-shaped tank. It wasn't your typical smiley tower, but that was part of its charm. 02-08

The tower stood along U.S. Highway 224 near State Road 3, making it an easy landmark for anyone passing through town. Its oversized grin greeted motorists for years, even if its blue color and unusual shape made it a bit different from the classic smiley face towers found elsewhere.

I've always thought this one was a little odd. It was the wrong shape for a smiley face and certainly the wrong color, but somehow it still worked. That quirky combination made it memorable, and that's really what roadside attractions are all about.

Unfortunately, the smile didn't last forever. In 2020, the familiar face was painted over and replaced with community branding, leaving only photos behind to remember one of Indiana's more unique water towers.

UPDATE: The water tower still stands, but the famous blue smiley face is gone. It now features "Home of Sure-Trac" branding instead. 07-26

Water Tower
Hannibal, MO
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Hannibal Water Tower has watched over one of Missouri's most historic river towns for decades. While Hannibal is best known as the boyhood home of Mark Twain, it's also home to this classic old water tower. 07-08

The City of Hannibal has relied on a municipal water system for well over a century, with public ownership dating back to 1913. Like many older communities, several towers have served the city over the years, making it difficult to identify the exact history of this particular structure.

Old water towers like this have a certain character that's hard to replace. They're often overlooked by travelers, but they quietly become part of a town's skyline and are just as recognizable to locals as a courthouse or grain elevator.

UPDATE: I'm not sure if this particular water tower is still standing today. Hannibal has modernized parts of its water system over the years, and the status of this older tower couldn't be confirmed. 07-26

Water Tower
Florence, OH
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Florence Y'all Water Tower is one of the most recognizable roadside landmarks in America. Although often mistaken as being in Ohio, this famous tower actually stands in Florence, Kentucky, where it has welcomed travelers along I-71 and I-75 since 1974. 09-08

The tower was originally painted with the words "Florence Mall" to promote a shopping center that was still under construction. State officials ruled that a city-owned water tower couldn't be used as a billboard, so rather than repaint the entire tank, officials came up with a simple solution. By changing the "M" to a "Y" and adding an apostrophe, the now-famous "Florence Y'all" was born.

What started as a quick fix became the city's identity. Today, the slogan appears on everything from T-shirts to souvenirs, and even inspired the name of the local minor league baseball team, the Florence Y'alls. It's proof that sometimes the best roadside icons happen by accident.

UPDATE: The tower is still standing and remains one of Kentucky's best-known roadside landmarks. It has been repainted over the years, but the famous "Florence Y'all" greeting continues to welcome travelers today. 07-26

Water Tower
Gay, IL
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Gays Water Tower is one of those small-town landmarks that lets you know exactly where you are. Standing above the tiny village of Gays, Illinois, the green water tower with its bold white lettering has greeted locals and travelers for years. Photo courtesy Richard Weiss. 10-08

Like many rural Midwestern towns, Gays relies on its water tower as both an essential utility and a community landmark. There's nothing flashy about it, but it has become a familiar sight rising above the surrounding farmland.

The village itself is probably best known for its unusual name, which often catches the attention of passing motorists. It's also home to the famous two-story outhouse, making Gays an unexpectedly memorable stop for roadside enthusiasts exploring central Illinois.

UPDATE: The water tower is still standing and continues to serve the village today. 07-26

Water Tower
Elsie , MI
Photos courtesy Richard Weiss

The Elsie Water Tower rises above one of Michigan's best-known dairy towns. Standing near downtown, the tower is just a short walk from the community's famous fiberglass cow, making the two landmarks a natural stop when passing through Elsie. Photos courtesy Richard Weiss. 10-08

Elsie proudly calls itself the "Dairy Capital of Michigan," and the water tower has become part of that identity. While it's a straightforward municipal tower, its location near the village's oversized cow statue gives it a little extra roadside appeal.

If you're visiting, be sure to check out Elsie the Cow while you're there. Despite the name, the fiberglass "cow" has become famous among roadside fans for actually being molded from a bull. It's a quirky detail that only adds to the charm of this small Michigan town.

Each summer, the area comes alive during the annual Elsie Dairy Festival, when visitors gather for parades, food, carnival rides, and other family-friendly events celebrating the town's agricultural roots.

UPDATE: The water tower and Elsie the Cow are both still standing and continue to welcome visitors to this proud dairy community. 07-26

Ashley Water Tower (Gone)
Ashley, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Ashley Water Tower was a familiar sight for decades in the small village of Ashley, Michigan. Although it wasn't flashy or painted with a unique design, it quietly served the community for more than half a century before being retired. Photo courtesy Richard Weiss. 10-08

The tower was purchased used by the village in 1956 and remained in service for 57 years. In 2013, it was replaced by a modern water storage system, bringing an end to the old tower's long career overlooking the town.

Like many older water towers, it became part of the local landscape. Residents grew accustomed to seeing it every day, and visitors passing through knew they had arrived in Ashley when it came into view.

UPDATE: The original Ashley water tower was dismantled after being replaced in 2013. While the old landmark is gone, it served the village well for nearly six decades. 07-26

Wilson Water Tower
Wilson, IL
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Wilson Water Tower is one of the more mysterious entries in the RoadsidePeek archives. Richard Weiss photographed this tall water tower in 2008, but very little information has surfaced about its exact location or history. 11-08

While the original caption identifies the location as Wilson, Illinois, no incorporated town by that name exists today. It's possible the tower stood near a small unincorporated community, an industrial site, or that the original location was recorded incorrectly.

Sometimes that's part of the fun of documenting roadside America. Not every landmark comes with a well-known history, and a few remain mysteries waiting to be solved.

UPDATE: The exact location and current status of this water tower couldn't be confirmed. If you recognize it or know where it stood, I'd love to hear the story. 07-26

Chesaning Water Tower
Chesaning, MI
Photos courtesy Richard Weiss

The Chesaning Water Tower overlooks this small Michigan village along the Shiawassee River. While it may not be as colorful as some of the Midwest's novelty water towers, it has become a familiar landmark for both residents and travelers passing through town. Photos courtesy Richard Weiss. 01-09

The village's water system is supported by a 300,000-gallon elevated water tower that serves the community and its surrounding neighborhoods. The tower has also been associated with the village's historic bridges, a fitting connection in a town where the Shiawassee River has long shaped local history.

Like many small-town water towers, it's easy to overlook until you realize how much it becomes part of the community's identity. Whether you're visiting for the annual Chesaning Showboat Music Festival or simply exploring back roads across Michigan, the tower is one of the first landmarks you'll spot.

UPDATE: The Chesaning Water Tower remains in service today and continues to stand over the village as a familiar part of the local skyline. 07-26