PHOTOS PROVIDED The water tower at Young Industries in Muncy is removed on April 30. The tower, which stood for nearly a century. The removal of the 100-foot structure took several days.

MUNCY – A familiar and long-standing fixture of the Muncy skyline came down recently, marking the end of an era for both Young Industries and the broader community.

On April 30, the nearly 100-foot-tall historic water tower at Young Industries, 16 Painter St., was removed after standing for nearly a century.

Young Industries makes heavy-duty equipment that helps factories safely and efficiently handle raw manufacturing.

For generations of residents, employees, and visitors, the structure had become more than just an industrial asset, it was part of the town’s shared visual identity.

The tower, which held roughly 40,000 gallons of water, was a significant presence both in scale and engineering.

When full, the combined weight of the tower and water exceeded 375,000 pounds, roughly equivalent to the maximum takeoff weight of a fully loaded Boeing 767-200.

Its removal, while necessary, was described as a bittersweet moment.

“The water tower was part of the fabric of our facility and the Muncy skyline for generations,” said J. Tyler Thompson, President of Young Industries.

“While it was time to move forward for safety and operational reasons, we felt it was important to preserve its history and understand its origins.”

Landmark with deep roots

The tower bore a plaque identifying it as a product of Chicago Bridge & Iron Works, one of the leading builders of elevated water tanks in the early 20th century, and dated to 1927. The inscription also referenced a 1907 patent, a common marking tied to the company’s tank design.

Historical research has revealed that the tower predates Young Industries’ presence at the site. It was originally installed by Robinson Manufacturing Co., which owned and operated the property prior to Young Industries’ purchase of the facility in 1960.

The structure likely served as a critical component of the site’s water system during a period when reliable pressure and storage were essential to both manufacturing operations and surrounding development. While the exact date it went into service is still being researched, records confirm the tower’s long-standing role in supporting industrial activity in Muncy.

For decades, however, the tower had stood empty. As the Borough of Muncy modernized and upgraded its water infrastructure, the need for onsite elevated storage diminished. What remained was a legacy structure, visually prominent, historically significant, but no longer functionally necessary.

A necessary decision

The decision to remove the tower was driven by a combination of ongoing maintenance costs, structural considerations, and liability concerns associated with maintaining an aging, unused structure.

Planning and execution of the removal required significant coordination. Northeast Industrial Service Corp. handled the demolition work, with crane operations provided by Allison. The process unfolded over several days, culminating in the tower’s removal on April 30.

Employees and community members alike took note as the familiar silhouette disappeared from the skyline.

“It was one of those things you almost didn’t think about until it was gone,” one employee remarked. “Then suddenly you realized how much it had always been there.”

Preserving the past

While the structure itself is no longer standing, efforts have been made to preserve its history.

A portion of the tower, including its original builder’s plaque, has been retained and is now on display in the Young Industries showroom. The company has also provided historical documentation and records to the Muncy Historical Society to support ongoing research into the tower’s origins and role in the area’s industrial development.

These steps are part of a broader effort to ensure that the story of the tower – and the era it represents – is not lost.

“There’s real value in understanding what came before us,” Thompson said. “This tower tells a story that started long before Young Industries was here, and we want to make sure that story is preserved and shared.”

Looking ahead

As Young Industries continues to invest in its Muncy operations, the removal of the water tower represents both a transition and an opportunity.

The site will move forward without the structural and financial burdens of maintaining an obsolete asset, while the company remains committed to honoring the legacy of the facility and its place within the community.

Though the skyline has changed, the memory of the tower, and the role it played in the growth of both industry and town, will remain.

For many in Muncy, its absence is a quiet reminder of how deeply even the most utilitarian structures can become woven into the identity of a place.