Repaint Old Millstadt Water Tower
Tax deductible
The Old Millstadt Water Tower is one of only seven of the "tin man" style water towers remaining in Illinois. Located in the heart of Millstadt, the Tower can be seen as far as 20 miles from town. Landmarks Illinois recognized the significance of the Old Water Tower by adding it to their Most Endangered Historic Places for 2014.
The Tower was built in 1931, following a five-year court "battle" in Millstadt over the construction of a municipal sewer system, that was argued in two separate cases before the Illinois Supreme Court.
As Millstadt grew, the water tower and sewer plant needed to be enlarged. After 80 years and six layers of lead paint, the Village officials decided that they could no longer maintain the Tower.
In 2013, a group of preservation minded individuals formed the Friends of the Old Millstadt Water Tower, a non-profit that is a 501(c) 3 charity. The Friends, whose sole purpose is to restore and preserve the Tower, have an agreement with the Village of Millstadt to have the needed funding by January, 2021. As of October, 2016 the Friends have raised approximately $34,000 of the estimated cost of $200,000.
I am Betty Keller Timmer, the chairman/president of the Friends. My reason for wanting to save the Tower is very simple - it's my landmark. On many a snowy night, I'd be coming home from work, "hanging onto the steering wheel for dear life" when I'd catch my first glimpse of the Tower about two miles from town. I knew then that I'd make it home another night. Many other people have their own stories of the Tower - maybe just memories of playing there as a child, or receiving a first kiss under the Tower from their future spouse.
I am asking anyone who has ever been to Millstadt or who has been driving in a snowstorm, to support the Friends on their mission. On behalf of the entire Friends organization and everyone who has already supported the project, I am extending a sincere thank you.
Friends of the Old Millstadt Water Tower
P. O. Box 335
Millstadt, IL 62260
The Tower was built in 1931, following a five-year court "battle" in Millstadt over the construction of a municipal sewer system, that was argued in two separate cases before the Illinois Supreme Court.
As Millstadt grew, the water tower and sewer plant needed to be enlarged. After 80 years and six layers of lead paint, the Village officials decided that they could no longer maintain the Tower.
In 2013, a group of preservation minded individuals formed the Friends of the Old Millstadt Water Tower, a non-profit that is a 501(c) 3 charity. The Friends, whose sole purpose is to restore and preserve the Tower, have an agreement with the Village of Millstadt to have the needed funding by January, 2021. As of October, 2016 the Friends have raised approximately $34,000 of the estimated cost of $200,000.
I am Betty Keller Timmer, the chairman/president of the Friends. My reason for wanting to save the Tower is very simple - it's my landmark. On many a snowy night, I'd be coming home from work, "hanging onto the steering wheel for dear life" when I'd catch my first glimpse of the Tower about two miles from town. I knew then that I'd make it home another night. Many other people have their own stories of the Tower - maybe just memories of playing there as a child, or receiving a first kiss under the Tower from their future spouse.
I am asking anyone who has ever been to Millstadt or who has been driving in a snowstorm, to support the Friends on their mission. On behalf of the entire Friends organization and everyone who has already supported the project, I am extending a sincere thank you.
Friends of the Old Millstadt Water Tower
P. O. Box 335
Millstadt, IL 62260
Organizer
Betty Timmer
Organizer
Millstadt, IL
Friends of the Old Mill Stadt Water Tower
Beneficiary