Landmark Barnard Water Tower...Another Erased Memory?

Many Barnard residents, past and present, find themselves looking for the familiar landmark as they make their drive home.  This water tower has been a sentry that has marked coming home for many people starting with war weary soldiers returning to Barnard from serving their country in World War II.  The WPA built landmark may soon be a memory.  There is a town meeting at Barnard City Hall on Monday, September 5, 2011 at 7:30 pm to present a proposal to the community that will demolish the Art Deco water tower and replace it.

The Barnard water tower was completed in 1942 and was built by the WPA.  The Art Deco structure is the only survivor of three of this type built in the state of Kansas.  Below are excerpts from "Barnard History:  1885- 2010, Memories, Reflections, and Accounts."

Ott Saunders was the Water Superintendent and was the person who conceived of the water tower.  His family has this memory:

"Otto was later employed by the City and took care of the water and people also called him when they had problems with their lights.  He was also the City Marshall, carried his badge, and was proud of that.  All of their 19 grandchildren and even the great-grandkids were excited to come to Barnard and to see who could spy Grandpa's water tower first...to them that was what meant the most."  (From Barnard History, 1885-2010)

A view of the water tower from the Ott Saunders home in September of 2011.

Does the water tower need to become a memory that fades over time just like Barnard is becoming?  No it does not and neither should Barnard.  Should a new water tower be built?  Most certainly but the old historic Barnard water tower that people know does not have to be sacrificed for the building of a new one.  Part of historic preservation is finding a new use for an old structure.  An observation tower could be one such use.

The Kansas State Historical Society has already told the city council that they do not want the tower torn down.  Council member, Randy Pickering said "If the historic activists want to save it, let them pay for it."  The Barnard city council has had an active role in demolishing Barnard.  They have been told many times that once you tear it down, it is gone forever.  Many residences and most of the downtown has either been torn down or has been allowed to fall into ruin.  The city council hopes that people will build new in Barnard or at least bring in a trailer.  Low property values and the low income status of some new residents makes that scenario very unlikely.  As vacant properties are torn down, there is less space  for new residents.  Some properties are run down but still repairable.  There are those that will argue that they are not.  I am writing this article in one of the houses that the city wanted to tear down.  It is the Ott Saunders home.  By the time that the house is renovated and restored to my picky standards, I will have about $10,000 in it.  You could spend a lot more if you wanted to, but it is a matter of choice and what work you are willing to do yourself.

The population of Barnard is now at 70 people according to the 2010 census.  The 2000 census had the population at 123.  Barnard is not growing.  Barnard is dying but has potential to those who will think outside the "now" and think about the future.  Tourism can be a great thing for Barnard and the water tower can be a huge part of that.  Tourism may start out small but if nurtured, it can help Barnard grow.

Do we need a new water tower?  Yes.  Do we need to tear the old one down?  No.  Can the old one be saved?  Yes, though it is a possibility that the part containing the tank may need to be removed.  This, however, would still leave the bulk of the tower intact.  The city council has not pursued preservation with any diligence.  Please come to the town meeting and support saving a monument to Barnard's heritage.  If you don't save your heritage, who will?