Spring, a top contender for the finest season in St. Louis, has definitely sprung. For the season’s first full moon, take in a panoramic view of the city from the top of the Compton Hill Water Tower, which is moving into prime season for its twice-monthly openings, on the full moon and the first Saturday. This month, both reasons for an opening happen on the same day (which is expected to be clear and warm), so expect a party.
“It’s the coolest view in the whole city,” says John Maxwell, president of Compton Hill’s Water Tower and Park Preservation Society. “The view is just outrageous. It’s this incredible Cinderella–Rapunzel tower with fancy ironwork stairs.”
Yes, you have to climb the stairs. No, it’s not terribly grueling, and there are plenty of landings to pause and catch your breath. While you’re stopped, you can learn a bit about the building’s history courtesy of old photos and drawings that explain its former function.
The tower is a splendid-looking spire, rising 179 feet out of Compton Hill Reservoir Park, in south city at Grand and Russell. It was built in 1898 and for 30 years, played a crucial role in regulating the city’s water pressure. It housed a stand pipe to handle surges.
When you reach the top, the observation deck has windows on all sides, several with telescopes you can peer through—really, the show is plenty visible without them, though.
“If you’re there at the right time, you can see sunset and moonrise, and then the lights come up in the city,” Maxwell says. “The moon is coming up over the downtown profile.”
On Saturday, the tower will be open from noon to midnight. You can get up, get a look, and get out in well under an hour if you want. Or you can linger—no one is shuffling you along at the top. Live music and food trucks round out the day’s offerings, so it certainly has the makings of a full evening. While it’s not technically the first opening of the year, the March full moon opening was canceled because of frigid temperatures.
Your $5 entry fee helps support upkeep for the tower and park, including the restoration and upkeep of the pond and gardens; an updated restroom; and The Naked Truth, a statue gifted to the city in 1914 by the German-American Alliance.
Maxwell, who has lived nearby for 25 years, says that the tower sat all but abandoned for 70 years. The park was in disrepair, with a “swamp full of cattails” where the pond is now, and the tower was closed. Because of asbestos in the stand pipe, no one could visit except workers in full gear. The city got on board with the society’s efforts, and since 1999 the tower has been open for tours.
