Purposefully tilted water tower landmark serving as a classic roadside attraction and enduring symbol of quirky Route 66 Americana.
Visible year-round from the frontage road and Interstate 40
How to Get There
From Amarillo (43 mi): Take I-40 east toward Groom, use Exit 114, then follow the frontage road to the landmark, which is visible from the interstate and located near the former Britten truck stop site.
Overview
The Leaning Tower of Texas is one of the most memorable roadside attractions along the Texas stretch of historic Route 66. What appears to be a water tower on the verge of collapse is actually a carefully engineered attraction designed to catch the attention of passing travelers. The structure began life as a conventional water tower before being purchased by businessman Ralph Britten, who relocated and intentionally installed it at a dramatic angle to draw motorists to his nearby truck stop and information center. Painted with the words "Britten USA," the tower quickly became a beloved landmark across the Texas Panhandle.
Although the truck stop that inspired the attraction no longer exists, the leaning water tower continues to delight visitors exploring Route 66. Easily visible from Interstate 40, it offers a fun photo opportunity and a glimpse into the creative marketing traditions that flourished during the golden age of American road travel. Its unusual appearance and enduring presence have made it one of the most photographed roadside attractions in Texas, preserving a piece of Route 66 folklore for future generations of travelers.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Leaning Tower of Texas, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
