Presley Heights Water Tower

East Main St. water tower in Tupelo

It was recently painted and repaired at a cost of more than $50,000 even though it hasn't been used in years.
One viewer wanted to know "Why did Tupelo spend $51,000 to paint a water tower that's not in use?"
Here's what we discovered.
The East Main Street water tower has been a fixture in that part of town since the 1950's, with its golf ball and tee design.
It sits in City Councilman Jonny Davis' ward.
Davis said, "This tank is one of only a few that were built in the country. It's a golf ball and tee style tank. When I spoke to the people who were painting the tank this year, the gentleman's business had been around for fifty years itself and he told me it was one of the few he had ever seen and the only one they had ever painted in fifty years."
The name Presley Heights is on the tower. That's the same name of the neighborhood where the tower sits.
The guitar painted on it is significant because the tower sits on a hill, rumored to be a favorite spot of a young Elvis Presley.
Councilman Davis says the Elvis connection plus the nostalgia many have for the tower are two reasons it's been preserved.
Davis said, "It is a landmark in itself like many iconic structures around town. We've had so many that have been torn down over the decades it is worth preserving just for its historic nature."
The last city council approved $39,000 worth of improvements to the tower.
The current council allocated another $12,000 towards the project.
Was it worth the cost?
Councilman Davis says yes.
Davis said, "We're looking, currently through Tupelo Water and Light, to see what kind of improvements we can make and still secure it as an area for generations to come to enjoy the overlook."
Source: Tupelo News