Kearney demolishes landmark I-35 water tower: ‘Adios to the Onion’
Kearney officially bid goodbye to the iconic water tower that served as a landmark for drivers along Interstate 35 for decades on Tuesday morning when it was knocked down for good.
Crews worked throughout the day Tuesday to strategically and carefully tip the 250,000 gallon water tower over, bringing down a marker that has been spotted by drivers for over three decades.
After it fell to the dirt, the tower was then cut into chunks and loaded into scrap containers for removal. The process was similar to how a tree is felled, according to the city.
The water tower was recently replaced by a new, 1 million gallon water tower, which was built directly beside the former tower and became operational earlier this year. Landscaping, lighting and other work will be completed around the new tower this spring, the city said.
The old tower was first completed in the 1990s and has since become a beloved landmark for people traveling to Kearney or passing by on I-35, according to the city.
“This water tower has been a familiar landmark welcoming residents and visitors for many years,” the city said in a social media post.
The city decided to replace the water tower after a 2022 engineering study showed the water system did not have enough storage during peak demand, especially in the low-pressure zone. At the time, the city also considered a 750,000 gallon option, but ultimately decided a 1 million gallon tower would not only address current needs, but had the capacity to continue serving the city for many years to come.
The new water tower allows the city to add “critical” storage, support current fire protection and emergency needs, replace aging infrastructure and save money over time, according to the city.
“The decision to replace the existing water tower was about fixing an existing need while also planning responsibly for tomorrow,” the city said.
Several Kearney residents paid their respects to the old water tower on social media, some appreciating the city’s video of the demolition and others saying “goodbye” to the landmark.
“Adios to the Onion,” one person commented, noting the tower’s bulbous shape.
“Bye little water tower,” another commenter wrote. “You have served us well.”
