Highland Park Water Tower

The Highland Water Tower in St Paul, MN was completed in 1928 and is on the National Register of Historic Places (1984, Reference #84001209). The tower was designed by architect Clarence Wigington, whom was city architect for 34 years. Sixty of Wigington’s St. Paul buildings still stand.

The water tower held approximately 200,000 gallons of water and was in service until 2015, when renovation cost outweighed its value as a water tower. The tower is open to the public two times per year, usually mid-summer and early autumn.

The highlight of the public openings is going up to the viewing platform and enjoying the views: likely the highest point in St. Paul at the time of its construction, and still fairly impressive. Though my wife and I have visited previously, we often only learn about the dates after they occurred. Fortunately, this year we drove by and saw the sign announcing the dates and immediately put it on our calendar.

Entrance Hall

The parking lot is between the blue, modern water towers and the original Highland Water Tower. If driving south on Snelling Avenue, it’s a left-hand turn at the light; if you turn right, you’re on Ford Parkway. The parking lot is shared with the Charles M. Schultz/Highland Arena.

On the ground floor, posters are affixed to the water tower giving history and other information about the tower, the architect, and St. Paul Regional Water Services. SPRWS employees are available to explain their mission, the process of water purification, the history of the tower, and anything else. They also had free souvenirs, such as coloring books and stickers for children.

The Walk

Before starting the climb, you’ll receive a numbered token from the SPRWS employee, used to limit how many people are at the top at once. Don’t lose it because you hand it back after you’re back down.

If it’s not already obvious, know that there are no elevators – the tower was built decades before the Americans With Disabilities Act – and that you’ll be walking 151 steps to the summit. Multiple landings exist as you walk the steps circling the actual tank which held water, and conveniently green chairs are present in case you need a breather. It’s not overwhelmingly difficult, but higher temps do add to level of difficulty.

315° Panoramic View

Other than the south-east window – inaccessible because of the stairs – there are seven windows with step-ups for easy viewing. On this Sunday, the weather was ideal and the views fabulous, unlike our previous, pre-pandemic tour. Absolutely gorgeous.

Survey Medallion

Embedded in the floor is a U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey marker, which can be found on the NGS Map by entering in Snelling in the upper-left search. Its NGS Data Sheet gives detailed information, such as elevation, coordinates, reference objects: its Vertical Stability Code is D for Monuments of questionable or unknown reliability.

And the fine? $250 in 1931 equates to over $7500 today!

Other Views

I should have brought my DSLR with a zoom lens, as zooming in with a phone is always questionable. Landmarks such as the Cathedral of St. Paul, the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, and Minneapolis skyline are visible.

Worth The Effort?

Sure, if you’re in the neighborhood and don’t have other plans. As something different to do on a Saturday, sure, but wouldn’t necessarily plan a weekend around it. I doubt we’ll go anytime soon, but the views were spectacular.