The Leaning Tower of Texas in Groom stands at a deliberate 10-degree tilt, created by Ralph Britten in the 1970s as an attention-grabbing roadside attraction. This decommissioned water tower remains stable thanks to clever engineering, with two legs anchored to concrete piers and horizontal braces acting as stabilizers.
You’ll find it along historic Route 66, painted with patriotic “Britten U.S.A.” lettering, offering a perfect photo opportunity. The tower’s fascinating construction story continues to captivate visitors from around the country.
The Tilted Tale: History and Creation of Groom’s Leaning Water Tower
While most abandoned water towers face demolition, the one from Lefors, Texas, found new life through Ralph Britten’s creative vision. Around 1973, this former Air Force veteran and entrepreneur purchased the unused structure and relocated it to his truck stop on Route 66 in Groom, Texas.
Despite obvious installation challenges, Britten intentionally tilted the tower at an eye-catching angle—modifying its support legs so two no longer touched the ground. This wasn’t a structural failure but a brilliant marketing stunt designed to make travelers stop and stare.
The tower, never filled with water, was painted with “Britten U.S.A.” in red, white, and blue, turning it into an instant icon. It emerged during a period when similar roadside attractions—like those in Glenrio—began to fade as Interstate 40 rerouted traffic. After the Leaning Tower Truck Stop suffered fire damage and closed in the mid-1980s, part of the facility continued briefly as a truck repair shop.
Engineering a Safe Slant: How the Tower Stands Without Falling
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Four critical engineering components keep Groom’s tilted water tower upright. Two main legs are embedded into deep concrete foundations, while the opposite two legs hang above ground, creating the illusion of imminent collapse.
Steel cross-braces extend horizontally like outriggers, with at least one buried stabilizer acting like a kickstand. This allows the tower to support itself safely while maintaining its dramatic lean.
The tower’s empty interior results in a low center of gravity, and the angle—reported to be between 8 and 10 degrees—remains within safe tolerances. Britten applied basic mechanical engineering principles, rather than formal wind-load testing, to calculate stability.
Today, the interior contains nothing more than dust and nesting birds. While the tower may sway slightly in wind, the buried bracing prevents collapse.
From Attention-Grabbing Gimmick to Route 66 Icon
Ralph Britten’s quirky project didn’t just create a roadside curiosity—it produced a lasting Route 66 landmark. His leaning tower transformed a repurposed utility structure into a fixture of American travel lore. The tilt was set using crude but effective mechanical equipment, not a precise bulldozer maneuver.
When you visit today, you’ll experience:
- A perfect photo opportunity beside the boldly painted, leaning tower
- A snapshot of preserved roadside Americana, even after the business closure
- The famous Christmas star illumination, added for seasonal charm
The Leaning Tower of Texas stands as a tribute to the mid-century era of imaginative roadside marketing, joining the ranks of Texas’s most recognized oddities.
Capturing the Perfect Shot: Visitor Experience and Photography Tips
Photographers seek out the Leaning Tower of Texas for its visual contrast against the wide Texas plains. You’ll get the best lighting during golden hour, when shadows fall softly and colors pop.
Try a wide-angle lens to exaggerate the lean while fitting the tower’s height into the frame. Lower angles from a slight distance help emphasize the 10-degree tilt against the flat horizon. The structure’s bold color palette—especially under a dramatic sky—makes it an ideal subject.
Use the gravel parking area adjacent to the site for safe access, and plan visits in off-peak hours to avoid traffic interruptions. Like the Frost Bank Tower in Austin, this quirky landmark is celebrated for its unique silhouette and unexpected visual impact. For holiday photos, return at night during December to capture the glowing multicolored star at the top.
Beyond the Lean: Cultural Impact and Legacy of a Roadside Wonder
While the visual novelty draws travelers, the Leaning Tower of Texas represents much more than just a tilted tank. In the small town of Groom, population under 600, the tower has become a symbol of local pride and quirky Americana.
Its impact includes:
- Turning Groom into a recognizable Route 66 destination for nostalgic travelers
- Offering a rare mix of engineering creativity and folk art, preserved long after the original business closed
- Keeping the “Britten U.S.A.” branding alive as a testament to one man’s entrepreneurial flair
Thanks to the ongoing preservation efforts by the Britten family and Route 66 enthusiasts, this leaning water tower has become a regional cultural touchstone, defining Groom’s identity with a tilt.
