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Roadside Water Towers Southeast

 

Mecklenburg Mill Water Tower
Charlotte, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Rising above Charlotte's NoDa neighborhood, this old Mecklenburg Mill Water Tower is one of the last reminders of the area's textile past. Long after the mills fell silent, the tower has remained a familiar landmark overlooking the surrounding streets. 11-07

Built in 1905 as part of the Mecklenburg Mill complex, the tower once supplied water for the mill's fire protection system during Charlotte's booming textile era. Today the nearby mill buildings have found new life through redevelopment, but the old water tower still stands above them, its weathered appearance and layers of graffiti giving it a very different personality than when it first went into service. It's an easy landmark to spot while exploring NoDa and one that quietly tells the story of the neighborhood's industrial roots.

UPDATE: The Mecklenburg Mill water tower remains standing today as one of NoDa's most recognizable industrial landmarks, continuing to overlook the neighborhood more than a century after it was built. 08-26

 

 

Rogers Dixson Water Tower
Winston-Salem, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

This old Brown-Rogers-Dixson water tower has been part of the Winston-Salem skyline for decades. Perched high above the former factory buildings, it once looked every bit its age, weathered by years of North Carolina sun and rain. 12-07

Originally serving the industrial complex that later became home to Brown-Rogers-Dixson, the tower remained long after the manufacturing days had ended. Its rusty appearance gave the old factory plenty of character and made it a favorite subject for photographers exploring downtown Winston-Salem. When the property was transformed into the Winston Factory Lofts, the water tower was carefully restored rather than removed, preserving one of the building's most recognizable features.

UPDATE: The historic rooftop water tower still overlooks the Winston Factory Lofts today, standing as a lasting reminder of the property's long industrial history while anchoring one of downtown Winston-Salem's most successful preservation projects. 08-26

 

 

Historic China Grove Water Tower
China Grove, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The old Historic China Grove Water Tower has been watching over downtown for generations. Rising above the trees and rooftops, it's one of those familiar landmarks that lets you know you've arrived in town. 12-07

Standing near Town Hall and the fire station, the tower has long been an important part of China Grove's water system while also becoming a fixture of the local skyline. Painted with the town's name across the tank, it's easy to spot from around downtown and fits right in with the community's historic character. Along with nearby landmarks like the old China Grove Roller Mill, the tower helps preserve the small-town feel that has welcomed travelers for decades.

UPDATE: The Historic China Grove Water Tower remains standing today and continues to serve the community, keeping its place as one of the town's best-known landmarks. 08-26

 

 

 

China Grove Cotton Mills Company Water Tower
Charlotte, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

This old China Grove Cotton Mills Company Water Tower has been watching over the mill for generations. Rising above the factory buildings, it's a reminder of the days when textile mills shaped the economy and skyline of so many North Carolina towns. 12-07

The mill opened in 1893 and helped transform China Grove from a small railroad stop into a thriving manufacturing community. The water tower played an important role in keeping the sprawling complex supplied with water for its fire protection system, and unlike many similar mill towers, it has survived as the plant has changed ownership over the years. Today the mill continues to operate under Parkdale Mills, making this one of the few historic industrial water towers that still stands over an active textile facility.

UPDATE: The China Grove Cotton Mills Company Water Tower remains standing today and continues to overlook the active textile plant, preserving another piece of North Carolina's rich manufacturing heritage. 08-26

 

 

Historic Town of Denton Municipal Water Tower
Denton, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The old Historic Town of Denton Municipal Water Tower has been part of the town's skyline for decades, standing above the rooftops as a familiar landmark for both residents and travelers passing through this quiet Davidson County community. 12-07

Painted with the town's name across its tank, the tower continues to serve Denton's water system while representing an earlier era of municipal engineering. Its classic steel framework is becoming increasingly rare as many communities replace older towers with modern designs, making survivors like this one especially enjoyable to find. It's another reminder that even the smallest towns often have landmarks that have watched over generations of local history.

UPDATE: The Historic Town of Denton Municipal Water Tower remains standing today and continues to serve the community, preserving another classic piece of North Carolina's small-town skyline. 08-26

 

 

Historic Concord Downtown Water Tower
Concord, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The shape of this Concord water tower is what first catches your eye. Its rounded, "bulgy" tank gives it a different look from the more common straight-sided towers found across North Carolina, making it an easy landmark to recognize. 12-07

Standing near downtown Concord, the tower has been part of the city's skyline for generations while continuing to serve the municipal water system. Even as Concord has grown and newer water towers have been added around the city, this older landmark has remained a familiar sight overlooking the historic downtown district. For roadside fans, it's another reminder that no two water towers are exactly alike, and sometimes it's the unusual shape that makes one worth remembering.

UPDATE: The Historic Concord Downtown Water Tower remains standing today and continues to serve the community after restoration work, preserving one of downtown's most recognizable landmarks. 08-26

 

 

Historic Town of Jackson Water Tower (Gone)
Jackson, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

This tall, skinny Historic Town of Jackson Water Tower once stood high above the rooftops of this small Northampton County town, serving as both a working part of the community and a familiar local landmark. Its narrow profile made it a little different from many of the other classic steel towers scattered across the Carolinas. 12-07

Painted with the town's name across the tank, the tower watched over downtown for many years before newer water facilities eventually replaced it. By the time this photograph was taken, it was still a recognizable part of Jackson's skyline, quietly overlooking Town Hall, the fire department, and the surrounding streets.

UPDATE: The historic Jackson water tower has since been removed as part of the town's modernization of its water system. Today this photograph preserves the memory of a landmark that once stood over downtown for generations. 08-26

 

 

 

Historic Carthage "Buggy" Water Tower (Gone)
Carthage, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

For years, the Historic Carthage "Buggy" Water Towers were among the town's most recognizable landmarks. Standing near downtown, they were easy to spot from a distance, especially with the painted buggy that celebrated Carthage's long history as the "Buggy Town" of North Carolina. 12-07

The older of the two towers had watched over the community for generations before advances in the county's water system eventually made both structures obsolete. After years out of service, damage from freezing temperatures left the aging towers beyond practical repair. Although there was hope they might be preserved, both landmarks were dismantled in 2018, bringing an end to a familiar part of the Carthage skyline.

UPDATE: The historic Carthage water towers were demolished on March 13, 2018, after preservation efforts proved too costly. Today, photographs like this preserve the memory of two landmarks that once welcomed visitors to downtown. 08-26

 

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© Copyright 1998-2026 Syd Nagoshi. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the author.