Sulphur Springs Water Tower

The Sulphur Springs Water Tower is a famous landmark in Tampa, Florida. It is very tall, standing at 214 feet (65 meters), and has a deep foundation that goes down 45 feet (14 meters). Because of its height, many people can see it from nearby Interstate 275 and other parts of Sulphur Springs. The tower is located in the historic district of Sulphur Springs, making it an important part of the area's history and scenery.

History

Modern history

The water tower was built in 1927 to help provide water for a hotel and shopping area nearby. It was a private water system until 1971 when the city of Tampa took over.

Over the years, the tower has seen many changes. A theater opened close by, and there were plans to build fancy apartments around it. In 1989, the tower was cleaned and painted. Later, the city bought the land and added lights so people could enjoy it at night.

Architecture

The Sulphur Springs Water Tower is made from strong poured concrete with railroad rails used as support inside. Its walls are thick, about eight inches, and sit on solid rock for stability.

When in use, the tower held a large amount of water—200,000 gallons—from nearby artesian springs. The top part of the tower had a water tank, while the lower part had seven floors, each with one room. The building originally had an electric elevator for passengers.