This famous leaning water tower is one of the most photographed structures on Route 66.

It was actually purchased at an auction to be used as a water tower for a local town. But when inspected, it didn't meet code and couldn't be used. Ralph Britten, the owner of a local truck stop and restaurant, decided to use the water tower to help market the family business to highway travelers.

Britten erected the water tower on the property and purposely leaned it. This was a marketing stunt to catch the eye of travelers.

The business is now gone, but the leaning water tower still stands. It leans 10-degrees and uses the center pipe as a third leg with the center of gravity carefully placed to safely support the structure.