One Of Minnesota’s Most Iconic Water Towers Is Getting A Makeover

One of Minnesota's most iconic and unique water towers is about to get a makeover.

The Land of 10,000 Lakes is home to many unique and interesting water towers. From the giant corn cob in Rochester to the teapot in Lindstrom, seeing these different water towers is a fun part of touring Minnesota.

I may be a little biased, but the bobber water tower in Pequot Lakes stands out to me as the most iconic one in the state. Right in the heart of the beautiful Brainerd Lakes area, the water tower in Pequot Lakes was painted to be "Paul Bunyan's bobber" back in 1987.

Seen by thousands of visitors vacationing in Lakes Country each year, it is probably one of the most recognizable water towers across Minnesota.

In recent years, it hasn't been used as a functioning water tower. Pequot Lakes built a new water tower back in 2000.

Discussion for the newer tower included ideas like painting it like a golf ball on a tee, but it eventually was also painted to look like the original bobber. Here's the new one on the south end of town. Sure, it's neat, but nothing can replace the original!

As time has gone on, the need for that original bobber water tower to get a new coat of paint has grown. This led to a fundraising campaign to raise the $90,000 necessary to put a fresh coat of paint on the iconic tower and breathe new life into the landmark.

Get our free mobile app

The city's chamber of commerce shared in July, during the city's Bean Hole Days festival, that the fundraising goal was met thanks to donations from local residents, visitors, and area businesses, setting things in motion to refresh the Pequot Lakes bobber.

READ MORE: What is Bean Hole Days? All about the quirky Minnesota festival

The Chamber shared a "Big Bobber Update" this week, letting everyone know that work to repaint the water tower will begin on Friday, October 4. They say the project should take about 15 days, depending on how cooperative the weather is during the project.

In the meantime, locals and visitors are given a heads-up that there will be some cones set up to block off the work area around the tower, which sits at the center of the city, while work is being done.