Thomas Hill Standpipe In Bangor Remains Closed For Repairs

Initially built in 1897 as a way for the City of Bangor to regulate water pressure throughout the area and to store water they used to fight fires, the Thomas Hill Standpipe is now a legendary landmark in the Queen City, thanks in part to its breathtaking views and, of course.

In the late 1950s, the Bangor Water District assumed ownership of "The Standpipe," as most locals call it.

The State of Maine's official website even mentions it.

"Perched above Bangor at one of the city’s highest points is a landmark nearly everyone knows but few fully understand... for nearly 130 years its primary purpose has been to help maintain the water pressure in every faucet, shower, and fire hydrant in the city."

"For many years, the standpipe was open continuously to the public, who would often sit in chairs on the promenade deck. But unfettered access ended in the 1940s after a local child died in a fall inside the tower and because of security concerns related to World War II."

It was this occurrence that led to it being solidified in pop culture, as inspiration for one of the locations in Stephen King's novel, "It."

Although it remained closed to many decades after that, the Bangor Water District opened it back up in the early nineties, holding staff-led tours a few times a year.

In recent years, they offered those tours at least once each season (except for winter) to those who dared to make the daunting trip up 101 stairs, through the historic building, to the 12-foot promenade above.

Hundreds of people would come from all over and line up to make the journey upwards through the narrow corridor.

Many will tell you it was for the unprecedented 360-degree views across the city, in all directions.

Get our free mobile app

Those views were the delight of both the average Joe and the seasoned pro. Photographers and families would flood into that space and just soak up the sun on the horizon through every different season.

It was even a hot spot for folks looking to get down on one knee, carefully, of course, and pop the question!

Sadly, just a couple of years ago, those tours stopped happening.

At first, the Bangor Water District said it had to cancel the tours in May 2024, due to necessary maintenance and repairs that needed to be done to the aging structure.

Most of us figured that the Standpipe tours would resume the next year, in 2025. Sadly, we were told the 2025 season was being suspended, too.

And according to their website, it doesn't look like the Bangor Water District will be reopening those tours in the future.

"Please note: due to upkeep and repairs that are being planned and undertaken to ensure the Thomas Hill Standpipe continues to serve our community for years to come, all Tour dates have been cancelled. "

There are some who are holding out hope that when the necessary repairs have been completed, the tours will resume. I guess time will tell.

It's sad to think that, as fall fast approaches, those views of the leaves will have to remain for the birds only.

We reached out to the Bangor Water District to see if there was a light at the end of the tunnel for those yearning to see that unfettered sun on the horizon from that spot on high, but have not heard back from anyone.