Beau's Ancient Pride: The Beaumont Water Tank - More Than Just a Remnant

The Beaumont St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Water Tank is an old-school relic, constructed way back in 1875 to serve the steam-powered locomotives of the St. Louis, Wichita & Western Railway. Its construction from sawcut and milled cypress staves, fastened by steel bands, created a structure that still stands tall today, about four stories high. With a capacity of fifty thousand gallons, it was vital to the railroad’s operations. While it was abandoned following the shift to diesel-powered engines, the Beaumont folks stepped up and saved the tower.

Now, it serves as a water source, a testament to its ongoing utility and the locals' tenacity. The tower's history, too, is part of the tale, enveloped by the six-sided shingle roof that keeps the rain out and the memories in. A familiar sight to railroad enthusiasts and curious travelers alike, the tank continues to stand as a symbol of Beaumont’s history, ready for a brand-new generation of engines or simply a humble town supply.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons