Ear of Corn Water Tower wins popular vote in annual Tank of the Year contest

The Ear of Corn Water Tower is the 2021 People's Choice for Tank of the Year — receiving more than 5,000 votes.

A committee will now review the Rochester landmark along with 11 other finalists, and announce the overall winner on Friday.⁣ All of the finalists will be featured in the annual water tower calendar.

Built in 1931, the 151-foot-tall Ear of Corn tower's original purpose was to provide water for Reid, Murdoch and Co. cannery. It was later owned by Libby Foods and Seneca Foods before being acquired by Olmsted County in 2019. Earlier this year, the county put $410,000 into the restoration of the tower, including a new paint job. ⁣⁣

This marks the 15th year Tnemec has held a contest searching for the best water tanks in the U.S. and Canada. In all, about 300 water tanks were nominated for the 2021 awards. ⁣

Cover photo courtesy Experience Rochester