Rutledge demolishes 1966 water tower
Published 6:00 am Monday, January 27, 2025
A Community Development Block grant funds demolition of Rutledge’s 1960s-era water tower. Photo courtesy of John Ganey.
Photo courtesy of John Ganey.
Photo courtesy of John Ganey.
Photo courtesy of John Ganey.
Photo courtesy of John Ganey.
Photo courtesy of John Ganey.
Residents bid farewell to skyline fixture
By Haley Mitchell Godwin
On Jan. 15, a part of Rutledge’s skyline disappeared as the iconic water tower that had stood since 1966 was dismantled. Built during an era when water towers became essential to rural infrastructure, the structure stood as a sentinel over the town for nearly 60 years.
Rutledge is currently navigating the balance between honoring its past and building for the future. A $350,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDGG) received through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in November 2023 has also funded the removal of dilapidated houses, trailers and structures like the tower as part of an effort to “revitalize the community for safety and growth.
Mayor Steve Phillips acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the changes. “We don’t take decisions like this lightly,” he said. “The water tower was a beloved landmark, but it’s time to focus on making Rutledge a safer and more prosperous place for future generations.”
The landmark, a symbol of the town’s resilience and identity, is being brought down due to safety concerns, leaving residents reflecting on Rutledge’s storied past and sparking nostalgia among residents.
For many, the water tower is more than an aging piece of infrastructure; it’s a connection to Rutledge’s past.
For Luverne resident John Ganey, who grew up in Rutledge under the shadow of the water tower, its removal marks the end of an era.
“Rutledge school only went through sixth grade,” said Ganey who went on to graduate high school from Luverne. “I was in one of the last classes to go through the school at Rutledge. Shortly after the school at Rutledge closed the Crenshaw County School system started closing all the small country schools like Ivy Creek, Chapel Hill, Vidette and others.”
The tower’s removal will mark the loss of a landmark that has been a constant for generations of Rutledge residents.
Built to ensure consistent water pressure for a growing community, the tower served Rutledge for decades. Its weathered frame became a backdrop to daily life, from church services at the nearby Primitive Baptist church to the echoes of schoolchildren who, like Ganey, once attended Rutledge’s local school, which closed in the late 1950s.
Councilwoman Rita Brown explained that concerns about the tower’s structural integrity made its removal unavoidable.
“If a strong storm hit, the damage could be devastating,” said Councilwoman Rita Brown. “We understand the emotional significance, but safety must come first.”
The Rich Tapestry of Rutledge
Established in 1867 and named after Captain Henry Rutledge, a Confederate officer who gave his life during the Civil War, the town was once a bustling hub and the first county seat of Crenshaw County.
Originally known as Barber’s Cross Roads, Rutledge narrowly secured its designation as the county seat through a community vote, prevailing over Fuller’s Cross Roads. A two-story courthouse, built on land donated by Elizabeth Pittman, became the heart of the town.
For nearly three decades, Rutledge flourished. But the arrival of the Alabama Midland Railroad in 1888 bypassed Rutledge in favor of Luverne, sparking an economic decline. By 1893, a special election sealed the fate of the county seat, transferring it to Luverne and shifting the town’s trajectory.
Despite these changes, Rutledge remained a community deeply rooted in its traditions. Its Primitive Baptist Church, built in 1890, and early newspapers like The Rutledge Wave and The Gleaner reflected a town determined to preserve its identity.
Editor’s Note: If you have memories or photos of the Rutledge water tower or other area landmarks, the Crenshaw County Historical Society is collecting stories to commemorate the town’s history.
Visit the society’s social media page to learn more.
