Skip to Main Content

Makanda, Illinois: Buck Rogers-esque Water Tower

Near Giant City State Park, a water storage sphere is held by spindly sci-fi columns above an observation platform. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase for the scenic view.

Address:
Rt. 51, Makanda, IL
Directions:
Giant City Lodge, Rt. 51
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Buck Rogers-esque Water Tower

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Water tower.

Buck Rogers-esque Water Tower

This awesome water tower and observation deck is in need of a good power washing and paint job. Important tip: visit earlier in the day, as the afternoon sun will totally silhouette the structure. You can see the Bald Knob Cross of Peace miles away to the west.

[Mike Gassmann, 09/11/2020]

Water Tower.

Buck Rogers-esque Water Tower

Awesome 360 degree view of Giant City State Park!

[ThorEric, 10/12/2014]

Water tower.

Buck Rogers-esque Water Tower

There are 123 steps up to the observation deck of the water tower. Beautiful view of Giant City State Park. You can see the Smiley Face Water Tower in Makanda from here, too.

[Brandi Givens, 07/16/2014]
Buck Rogers-esque Water Tower

A Buck Rogers-looking water tower is along Rt 51 near Giant City State Park.

[Divinydistant, 06/05/2011]

A water storage sphere held by scifi stylish columns. A winding staircase ascends to an observation platform below the sphere.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Non-Gyrating GyratorNon-Gyrating Gyrator, Makanda, IL - < 1 mi.
Rainmaker Art GrottoRainmaker Art Grotto, Makanda, IL - 2 mi.
Monument to Boomer, 3-Legged Hero DogMonument to Boomer, 3-Legged Hero Dog, Makanda, IL - 2 mi.
In the region:
Rest Stop Memorial to King Neptune the Pig, Mount Pleasant, IL - 9 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Save Cool Vacation Destinations! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Illinois Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings