The Forgotten Monoliths of St. Louis - Stand Pipes

This video explores the unique architectural history of St. Louis' standpipes - towering vertical water pressure regulation structures that were preserved as civic monuments while similar infrastructure was demolished in other American cities. Discover how these industrial marvels worked between 1871 and 1898, when St. Louis constructed three increasingly ambitious architectural towers to house its standpipes. Learn why these functional structures were treated as civic monuments worthy of preservation and how they regulated water pressure before modern pressure valves and digital controls existed. The 16-minute exploration, hosted by Ryan Socash, delves into St. Louis' hydraulic past and examines the historical significance of these industrial monuments that continue to stand today.