The Last Monoliths of American Plumbing | St. Louis Stand Pipes

Before modern valves and smart water systems, American cities used something massive—and surprisingly elegant—to manage water pressure: the standpipe. These vertical towers stabilized flow in the 1800s, preventing burst pipes and pressure crashes. Most cities tore theirs down. But not St. Louis.

Between 1871 and 1898, St. Louis built three colossal standpipe towers—each more architectural than the last. Though the pipes are long gone, the towers remain. In this episode, we uncover why these structures were built, how they worked, and why they still stand as the last monoliths of American plumbing.

#UrbanHistory #StLouis #WaterTowers