Try To Spot These Quirky Water Towers On Your Next Minnesota Road Trip
By Betsy Rathburn|Published June 25, 2020
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
From Ed’s Museum to the Jolly Green Giant to the World’s Largest Twine Ball, Minnesota is full of roadside attractions. Most of these spots attract visitors to small towns, celebrate Minnesota culture, and offer entertainment for Minnesota road trippers. And some of Minnesota’s most unique roadside attractions have yet another purpose: providing water. There are many quirky water towers in small towns all across Minnesota. You can often see them from the highway, making them fun to spot as you drive to your destination. Next time you take a Minnesota road trip, see if you can spot the following quirky water towers along the way:
Not all of Minnesota's unique water towers are in small towns! There's at least one in Minneapolis, the most unusual being the tower in the Prospect Park neighborhood. It's often called the Witch's Hat thanks to its pointed top, and it's been around since 1913. The Witch's Hat is easy to spot as you drive on I-94 between Minneapolis and St. Paul. Or you could visit during the annual ice cream social, the only day of the year that the observation deck is open to visitors.
Rochester, Minnesota, isn't usually associated with corn. But you'll understand why there's a corn water tower there when you realize its location in the city: the fairgrounds. This colorful and quirky tower is a nod to one of the best treats you can find at any fair.
Perhaps the most famous water tower in Minnesota, the Lindstrom teapot tower is a favorite of many eastern Minnesota travelers. The adorable tower welcomes visitors to the Swedish town and is a charming sight from the road.
This central Minnesota town is in the heart of lake country. With many lakes in the surrounding area, it's no wonder that the water tower was painted to look like a fishing bobber! Whether or not you're an angler, you'll appreciate the cheerful welcome to charming Pequot Lakes.
Cosmos, Minnesota, is one of the state's most uniquely named towns. It follows that it has one of the most unique water towers. The colorful tower has a space-themed paint job, making it look as out-of-this-world as the town's name. Spot this tower as you drive along Highway 7 or Highway 4 in Meeker County.
St. Paul has some interesting water towers, too. This Highland Park tower is on the National Register of Historic Places! Designed by Clarence W. Wigington, the nation's first black municipal architect, it has been standing since 1928. The unique, castle-like appearance makes it stand out among Minnesota's other towers. If you're curious about Minnesota history, definitely pay this tower a visit.
This charming tower is a friendly welcome into the tiny town of Freeport, Minnesota. While it's not the biggest or most impressive tower in the state, it is certainly one of the most welcoming. The water tower was built in 1920 and no longer holds any water, but it's still a landmark for Freeport. Try to spot it as you drive west on I-94 in central Minnesota.
Did we miss any unique water towers? Let us know in the comments! If you love quirky roadside attractions, also be sure to check out our Minnesota roadside attractions road trip.
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