The Leaning Tower of Britten is a leaning water tower which serves as a

roadside attraction A roadside attraction is a feature along the side of a road meant to attract tourists. In general, these are places one might stop on the way to somewhere, rather than actually being a destination. They are frequently advertised with billboards. ...

and decorative item along historic

U.S. Route 66 U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) was one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The h ...

in Groom, Texas. Sometimes called the Leaning Tower of Texas, the tower was originally a functioning

water tower A water tower is an elevated structure supporting a water tank constructed at a height sufficient to pressurize a distribution system for potable water, and to provide emergency storage for fire protection. Water towers often operate in conju ...

which was slated for demolition until Ralph Britten purchased and moved it to serve as an advertisement for his truck stop and tourist information center. The Leaning Tower Truck Stop closed in the mid 1980s after it was damaged by an electrical fire; a small remaining portion operates as a local truck repair shop. Deliberately leaning at a roughly 10 degree angle, the tower is a popular tourist destination. There is a small gravel road on the site for parking and taking pictures. During the Christmas season, the city of Groom places a large multicolored star on top of the tower. Images of the water tower are common in Route 66 photography books.

References

Buildings and structures in Carson County, Texas Inclined towers in the United States Roadside attractions in Texas U.S. Route 66 in Texas Water towers in the United States {{Texas-struct-stub