Palmetto State Park Water Tower

PALMETTO WATER TOWER

This is the water tower that supplies water in Palmetto state park. It was built by the C.C.C. boys in 1933-1936. It is still in use today. The walls of the tower give the history of the palmetto plant and the potential future. Company 886 built the tower, but there was more than one company working in the park at that time. C.C.C. or Civilian Conservation Corps started in 1933 and it sent boys out to projects in the US and $25 dollars was sent home to their family and they got to keep $5. The story of who built the tower and a wooden plaque are located on the tower. Also the hydraulic pump is visible and they ask that you do not touch it. It does not have a historical marker, yet it is part of our history. The C.C.C. boys built many of the state parks in Texas as well as around the country. This water tower is a reflection of their hardwork. It was not just cheap craftmanship, but true worksmanship. They tower is still there and still worker to this day. The pictures reflect the down slide of the Palmetto and the loss of our swamp lands which is where the Palmetto primarily grows. There are other things in the park that also have the wooden plaque. The refectory and several tables, and also the main office was erected by the C.C.C. boys. All of those things are still in perfect shape. I am really interested to visit other parks to see there handywork. The hydraulic pump pumps the water out of the artesian well and pumps it in to the water tower.