Open House:Highland Water Tower

On the list of National Historic places is the 79 year old Highland Water Tower:

The water tower is a Highland neighborhood landmark located at the intersection of Snelling Avenue and Ford Parkway. Admission is free and open to the public. Visitors are invited to climb the 151 -step staircase inside the tower to the observation deck. The deck offers stunning views of the Highland area, the Twin Cities, and the Mississippi River, providing an excellent opportunity for photographs and a fun family outing. The tower will reopen the second weekend in October for the annual fall colors viewing.

The tower, which was designed by Clarence Wigington, was completed in 1928. Wigington, a city of Saint Paul architect from 1915 to 1949 , also designed many other important structures in the area, including the Keller Golf Course Clubhouse (1929) , the Saint Paul Public Safety Building (1929–30) , and Como Park Pavilion (1934) . The construction of the Highland Water Tower includes facings of Kasota and Bedford stone and a riveted steel-plate tank with a capacity of 200,000 gallons. The 127 -foot tower is still used today to help supply water in the Highland area. A collection of several original Highland Tower blueprints, many of which bear Wigington’s signature, will be on display inside the tower.

The Doors to the tower were open today from 9:00am - 5:00 pm. But don't fret, tomorrow is you other Fall opportunity to view the colors from above. If you have never been to the top, it is well worth the hike for the view.

Flash