Crenelated Water Tower, Marvel, Alabama

33 deg 8' 49.95"N
87 deg 0' 7.47"W
About 28 miles southwest of Birmingham

Marvel was a mining town in the Cahaba coal fields. Roden Coal Company operated there from the early 1900's until the 1950's. Although many people still live in the town, this water tower is a striking remnant of more prosperous times. The top is crenelated and a ladder angles out of one of the windows, which must require more acrobatics to climb than I'd be willing to do at that height. I've never seen a concrete water tower before and I would like to know how it was constructed. MSHA has a photo of the mine's surface plant with a note that there was an explosion on October 22, 1916 that killed 18 miners.
Next time we visit Marvel, we'll look for the mine ruins.

Peach Water Tower, Clanton, Alabama

32 deg 53' 11.56"N
86 deg 37' 32.29"W
About 45 miles south of Birmingham

I almost didn't post this because the water tower is such an obvious landmark while traveling Interstate 65. But slow travelers might be interested in getting a closer look. We found the 'peach' looming over an expanse of bare dirt that was almost the same color. It made a striking contrast to the summer blue sky. According to Roadside America, it is 120 feet high, holds 500,000 gallons, and was constructed in 1992. There is a peach-themed restaurant close by, but we did not eat there. Based on signage, I suspect local peaches are also available in season.