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'I wish they could have saved it': Neighbors watch as crews dismantle iconic Lewisville water tower

The iconic water tank has towered over the city at the corner of Interstate 35E and College Street since 1959.

LEWISVILLE, Texas — A mainstay along Interstate 35E is on its way down.

Neighbors across Lewisville gathered to watch as crews worked on the demolition of the iconic water tower on Wednesday. 

“You can’t help but look at it,” said Donald Lewallen, as he reminisced over the countless times he passed the Lewisville water tower along I-35.

The tower was part of the city’s skyline and a piece of its history.

“I wish they could have saved it, but I understand the cost was so crazy,” said Lewallen.

Demolition was scheduled to begin on Monday, but high winds delayed the process for two consecutive days. On Wednesday, WFAA got chopper video as they began to deconstruct the iconic structure. 

Watch WFAA's stream of the crews taking down the tower here: 

The iconic water tank has towered over the city at the corner of Interstate 35E and College Street since 1959. It notably pays tribute to the Lewisville High School Fighting Farmers and their two football state championships in 1993 and 1996. 

The tower, however, has not been in operation since 2020. The city decided last year that it would demolish the tower rather than renovate it. The city said it would cost $700,000 to fix and re-paint the tower -- and that number didn't include routine maintenance costs.

“It’s just a memorial to days gone by, as far as I’m concerned,” said Lewallen.

A city spokesperson told WFAA in July that the water tower was originally built to last 50 years. 

“It’s sad. It’s really sad. It’s been here since I’ve been here,” longtime resident Maria Reyna said. “I don’t want it to go. I want a piece of it really. I just want a chunk of it."

The city does have plans to keep the Fighting Farmers spirit alive. That could include a mural somewhere along the interstate. 

Last week, residents were also allowed to write messages and sign their names with a marker at the base of the tower. 

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