As the new water tower rises over the city to meet Idaho Falls’ growing needs, we hope you will join us in a months-long community celebration of the old tower.
Saying goodbye is never easy, but this isn’t the first time Idaho Falls has bid adieu to a water tower. In 1888, the city erected two water towers, along with a windmill on the riverbank. One of the towers was near the Snake River, the other near the Museum of Idaho. The towers’ primary purpose was to fill the train engines that steamed in and out of town.
The two towers stood until 1937 when they were replaced by the current tower, which was better able to meet the city’s growing needs and demands for indoor plumbing. Holding 500,000 gallons of water and at 185 feet high, it has towered over the city for decades. Initially, the tower was silver and remained so for nearly 60 years. A water tower design competition was held in 1974 as part of a belated bicentennial celebration, and the winning entry featured the beloved red, white and blue design that still graces the tower today.
The water tower has served the community for more than 85 years and has made its mark on the city’s riverfront. But, with Idaho Falls’ continued growth, it is time to retire the tower, and replace it with a new one that is twice the size, holding a million gallons of water. Over time, the new tower is sure to make its own mark on the city’s ever-changing skyline and riverfront.
The new tower is critical to the city’s water system and essential to meeting the growing demands of Idaho Falls’ residents, but we plan to give the old water tower a proper goodbye. Working with several community organizations such as the Idaho Falls Arts Council, Idaho Falls Symphony, Harris Publishing, the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, the Museum of Idaho and more, we have several events and celebrations planned in the coming months.