• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

Belton Standpipe

SC PICTURE PROJECT 4 Comments

SC Picture Project / Anderson County / Belton Standpipe

This unique, castle-like structure was built in 1908-09 as a water tower for the City of Belton. Rising 155 feet into the air, it has long been used by pilots to pinpoint their location along the eastern seaboard.

Belton Standpipe Tower

Crystal Rhodes of Belton, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Interestingly, the tower is not a true standpipe in that standpipes store water throughout their lengths, not just in tanks at top. Another odd fact is that, unlike a lighthouse, the “standpipe” has no stairs inside it. A ladder reaches along the exterior, and water flows through a 10-inch pipe in the tower’s center. The small windows in the wall, as seen in the interior photo below, were included to allow ventilation and visibility during construction.

Belton Standpipe Interior

William H. Myers, III of Seneca, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The tower’s unusual shape helps to evenly distribute its weight. It is constructed from concrete which was poured in stages, giving the tower the illusion of being built of stone. Still used to store the city’s water supply, the capacity of the water tank within the tower is 165,000 gallons. It is located on McGee Way near its intersection with Campbell Street, one block from Belton’s business district.

Belton Standpipe

South Caroliniana Library, E. Don Herd, Digital Collections, 1950s

In 1987, the first annual Belton Standpipe Festival was held to raise money for renovations needed to preserve Belton’s most distinguished landmark. The image of the standpipe is included in the design of the town seal and is found on the city’s letterhead.

Belton Standpipe

Blake Lewis of Greenwood, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Of note, there is a similar standpipe-style water tower in Walterboro, as well as one in Allendale. These are the only three such towers in South Carolina.

Michael Lollis of Belton © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on the Belton Standpipe


Contributor William H. Myers, III, shares that he “went to the 2014 Standpipe Festival just to get this picture of the inside.”

Add your own reflections here.

Plan Your Trip: Belton Standpipe

Where is Belton Standpipe located?
Address: McGee Way near Campbell Street, Belton, SC 29627
GPS Coordinates: 34.522400,-82.491977
Website: http://www.beltonsc.com/standhist.htm
What else should I see?
Belton 0.1 mile
Belton Depot 0.2 mile
Belton Mill 1.1 miles
Shady Grove Baptist Church 5.4 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Belton Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina National Register
  • See other South Carolina Water Towers
    Belton Standpipe Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Belton DepotBelton Depot Saint Pauls Episcopal Church SCSaint Paul’s Episcopal Church Chiquola Mill Ruins with BulldozerChiquola Mill Obediah ShirleyObediah Shirley House Sullivan-King MortuarySullivan-King Mortuary

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. William Churchill says

      December 2, 2019 at 4:03 PM

      Does anyone know when the star was placed on the standpipe and who put it there?

      Reply
    2. Carol says

      July 2, 2019 at 7:32 PM

      The librarian was my great aunt, Jennie Austin. My family says she was never herself after the incident.

      Reply
    3. Mary G. Boyd says

      February 5, 2013 at 1:12 PM

      I grew up in Belton, and this photo reminded me of a dramatic incident from my childhood. The small building in the foreground is the public library, where as a young nerd I spent much of my time. One winter ice formed on the top of the standpipe, which thawed and released the ice. I was reading at the library when, with a loud crashing sound, a large block of ice fell through the roof, hitting the nice librarian. We children were ushered out when help arrived, after seeing her bleeding from the head. I vaguely remember that she survived. I wonder how accurate my memory of 75 years ago really is? Does anyone know anything about this?

      Reply
    4. Austin (the king) Bruce says

      September 20, 2012 at 11:29 AM

      That is awesome!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved