The Belton Standpipe, historically known as the Belton Waterworks Tower, is a 155-foot-tall concrete water tower located near downtown Belton, South Carolina. Construction began in 1908 and was completed in 1909. It is the tallest of three standpipe water towers in South Carolina. The tower was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 5, 1989. A complete renovation of the structure began in 1989 and was completed in 1991. “It is an early example of water storage facilities using reinforced concrete construction, a material that would eventually become popular in the United States.” Pilots have long used it to pinpoint their location along the eastern seaboard.
Another odd fact is that, unlike a lighthouse, the “standpipe” has no stairs inside. A ladder reaches along the exterior, and water flows through a 10-inch pipe in the tower’s center. Two other similar standpipe-style water towers are located in the state, one in Walterboro and another in Allendale. These are the only three such towers in the state of South Carolina, also known as the Palmetto State. Images belong to The Lantern.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
Image Credit: John G. Clark Jr.