Compton Hill Reservoir Park

Compton Hill Reservoir Park is a 36-acre public park in St. Louis built around a large water reservoir and featuring tennis courts, pavilions, gardens, and walking paths circling a lily pond. The green space was designed with the iconic water tower at its center, creating a distinctive landmark within the neighborhood.

The park was established in 1867 and contains the Compton Hill Water Tower designed by Harvey Ellis, which operated until 1929. The structure was originally built to stabilize water pressure and support the distribution system for the growing city.

A bronze statue called The Naked Truth stands near the water tower, honoring German-American journalists through a work funded by Adolphus Busch. This sculpture shows the cultural importance this place held for St. Louis's German-American community.

The water tower opens for public visits on the first Saturday of each month from April through November, with additional openings during full moon evenings. It is helpful to check ahead since the tower has limited seasonal visiting hours.

The water tower represents one of only seven remaining standpipe water towers in the entire United States. This rarity makes the tower a valuable example of industrial engineering from that era.

Location: St. Louis

Inception: 1867

Architects: Harvey Ellis

GPS coordinates: 38.61440,-90.23720

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49