Ypsilanti Water Tower

Water utility company · Ypsilanti

Ypsilanti Water Tower

Water utility company · Ypsilanti

1

303 N Summit St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Photos

Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by Eli Carrico on Flickr (Creative Commons)
Ypsilanti Water Tower by F Delventhal on Flickr (Creative Commons)
Ypsilanti Water Tower by F Delventhal on Flickr (Creative Commons)
Ypsilanti Water Tower by theoriginalbyoch (Atlas Obscura User)
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null
Ypsilanti Water Tower by null

Highlights

Iconic Victorian water tower, known for its unique shape  

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303 N Summit St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Get directions

ycua.org

Information

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303 N Summit St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Get directions

ycua.org

Features

wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Oct 8, 2025

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The Quirkiest Local Landmarks in Small-Town America

"Dominating the city’s landscape, Ypsilanti, Michigan’s centrally located water tower was actually named “the most phallic building in the world” by a magazine and the locals would seem to agree. The water tower was designed by architect William R. Coats and built in 1889 in the “Queen Anne” architectural style popular during the era. Superstitious construction workers on the project built four crosses into the actual brickwork of the structure which can still be found by eagle-eyed visitors. Then in front of the water tower, there is a bust of Demetrios Ypsilantis, hero of the Greek War of Independence and namesake of the city of Ypsilanti, which was founded in 1825 during the war in Greece. However all of this historical flare has been nearly forgotten in the giggling furor over the building’s phallic shape. Affectionately known to locals as the “Brick Dick,” the water tower actually won a contest run by Cabinet Magazine identifying the structure as the “World’s Most Phallic Building.” There is even a tongue-in-cheek local legend that says the tower will fall down should a virgin graduate from the local university." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/quirky-local-landmarks-small-town-symbols
View Postcard for Ypsilanti Water Tower

Sean Q

Google
If your not from Michigan let me explain, this water tower is iconic and has a plethora of nicknames due to its unique....shape. I'm guessing you readers can fill in the blank as to what some of those nicknames may be. Regardless of what it's called it's the most recognizable water tower in southeast Michigan!

Nathan Holth

Google
This is a historic water tower of unique design. Construction began in 1889 but it was not fully erected until 1890. It is appropriately located right between where the two legs of M-17 split apart. The bushes around the base are well trimmed.

Mohammed (Mo)

Google
The tower was designed by William R. Coats and built as part of an elaborate city waterworks project that began in 1889. Located on the highest point in Ypsilanti, the tower was built in 1890 at a cost of $21,435.63 (equivalent to $578,660 in 2020). - Wikipedia

Delaney Michel

Google
perfect water tower size. It’s the movement of the water that matters, not how big it is.

Michele ARMSTRONG

Google
It's a solid, sturdy piece. Respectable size although admittedly I expected it to be a bit bigger. Consistent girth right to the tip though and good texture. Nicely landscaped shrubbery around it. Someone does a great job keeping those bushes trimmed.

Aeron C. Wade (Lion's Paw Films)

Google
It's certainly historic and whatnot but think twice about living near it. There's constantly construction on or near it, and the city never posts any updates on what's going on with it. Also this thing really is ugly as sin. There's no two ways about it.

Sam Bachman

Google
This water tower rises to the occasion. It's a very firm and stable structure that is made from rock hard material. I'm sure the people of Ypsilanti are very thankful that it squirts hundreds of gallons fluids to households to provide them with running water.

Liz Meowski

Google
Lost a pair of glasses one winter on my way to the university, found them miraculously fine and sitting on the porch safe from the street here. This water tower saved my glasses 11/10 water tower.
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Nicole E.

Yelp
That's an odd shape for a water tower. My hubby referred it as the phallic namesake. I can see why it's a focal point here in Ypsilanti. It certainly stands out here. If you get lost and far from Ypsilanti. Look for this thing and you will be right back in Ypsilanti then.
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Bruce K.

Yelp
Are you happy to see me or is that a water tower in your Ypsilanti? Constructed in 1889-1890 from a design by William R. Coats. Seriously, how did he not know when it was complete that it would look like a very excited water tower? It is located at the highest point in the city of Ypsilanti and is 147 feet tall with an 85-foot base of Joliet limestone. The substructure walls are 40 inches thick at the bottom and 24 inches thick at the top. Inside, the steel tank holds 250,000 gallons. That's a lot of water! Thanks, https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ypsilanti-water-tower! [Review 11125 overall, 898 of 2019.]
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Kimberly K.

Yelp
It's quirky, it's eccentric, and it makes me smile. Every time I'm in the Ypsilanti area I can't help but giggle at the famous water tower or as it's affectionately known: "The Brick Dick". Life is full of daily struggles but seeing my favorite Michigan landmark makes my day a little bit brighter even if it is just a phallic shaped water tower.
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Mike G.

Yelp
I enjoy seeking out the quirky and oddball things that sprinkle the land that we live in. So I'd read about this tower and I really wanted to see the most phallic building in Ypsi, the "Brick Dick", that everyone jokes about. You can't miss the legendary Ypsilanti Water Tower looming on the horizon as you drive into this small city between Ann Arbor and Detroit. Remarkably, this 1890 Victorian water tower is still standing and even more amazing is that it is still in use to this day providing water for the people of this city of 20,000 people. It's a piece of history and an architectural gem like no other. This roadside curiosity is worthy of a quick side trip if you are in the area. 5 Stars - It's free and it's easy to find. What's not to like?
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Carl F.

Yelp
Eggplant Emoji. Eggplant Emoji. Eggplant Emoji. What's not to love about this quaint little town's beacon being a gigantic brick dick? It's glorious and I like thinking about the meetings where the water tower design was first proposed and how everyone was probably thinking the same thing but too polite to say it. So very Michigan. Politeness at its finest. Phallus at its... well, whatever.
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Annette J.

Yelp
Shining like a beacon down Washtenaw Avenue, penetrating the skyline. A hot and bothered hello or goodbye to Ypsi depending on which way you're going. Always a comfort to see such a display of manly prowess and testosterone protecting this fair city. Rise up, Ypsilanti! And salute this, your iconic brick dick!
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Liz W.

Yelp
The water tower is great if you like phallic symbols, which I do. What a lovely thing to glorify really when you think about it. It is an enormous monster, towering over the city of Ypsilanti in its perpetual state of *happy to see ya*. Some are embarrassed by it, some are ashamed, not me. I find it a comforting constant, a bold statement, a reason for a morning giggle on another dreary morning in Ypsi. Who doesn't love the brick dick? I mean really...
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Becki B.

Yelp
Wow. The Brick Dick is indeed a landmark. It's great for giving directions by, or just lying on a nearby roof and drunkenly gazing on a nice summer night, if you're still a college student without any high pressure obligations the next day. There's the whole truth. Driving by in the harsh light of day, I always just wonder, "What were they thinking?" Even if no one had told me it's brash nickname, the phallic appearance of the water tower is impossible to deny.
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Jessica K.

Yelp
I used to drive by this all the time on my way to work. It truly is basically a giant penis. I think it was voted the most penis-like building in the state? You think it'd lose its impact after 2 years of constant commuting past it but, no. Still funny. Always funny.
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Bobbi K.

Yelp
Once you see it you will want to claim it as part of your home town. I know I'm proud to be a Ypsi girl #ypsireal
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Sarah R.

Yelp
I'm not sure what else you can say about the Ypsilanti Water Tower except that yep, it sure is phallic, and boy can you see it from a long way away. It's not really a place to visit as much as it is a landmark. There are steps up to it and a plaque telling the history, but there's no designated parking. You'd have to find street parking nearby (good luck when Eastern Michigan University students are swarming the shops nearby) and cross a fairly busy street in order to get close up enough to read the plaque. Still, it's part of what gives Ypsi its charm. The tower is sometimes referred to as "The Brick Dick" by locals, it's got its own Wikipedia entry and it won the "Most Phallic Building" designation from Cabinet Magazine. I'll say no more...
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Zack W.

Yelp
It's the brick dick. Ypsilanti's north star. If ever you're lost you can look up into the sky and find your way home by looking for the water tower. Seriously, though. It's pretty darn cool.
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Lauren L.

Yelp
I was fortunate enough to have been working the news desk at the Eastern Echo when the water tower was crowned world's most phallic building. It was an epic night in the newsroom, brainstorming headlines for our feature story. "Big wiener big winner" was the running favorite, but I think we were ultimately forced to go with something more tasteful. Driving eastbound into the heart of Ypsi, I fondly regard the tower as a gateway to so many classic places and memories: EMU's campus, La Fiesta Mexicana, No Face (anyone remember that guy?), the Ugly Mug, Depot Town. The tower always looks equally happy to see me, too. If you're a student, you can admire the tower's splendor for hours on end while standing line for textbooks at Mike's.
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Clarence C.

Yelp
This architectural gem was completed in 1890, for a community managed by repressed Victorians who apparently had at least one thing on their minds other than creating a reservoir capable of holding a quarter of a million gallons of water: money. Shortly after this 147-foot limestone monument to civic prowess was completed, the city sent out its first batch of water bills, and the tap has been flowing pretty much ever since. The worlds most phallic water tower can be seen from as far away as Packard and Golfside, from where it still looks like a giant Koegel dog without a bun.
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Mia T.

Yelp
I like to think of the Brick Dick as Eastern's phallic protector whose only super powers are emasculation and intimidation. Standing strong and proud, the penis, er, I mean water tower can been seen for a long while down Washtenaw. Whether saying hello or goodbye, the brick dick will always be there. They even decorate it during the holidays with white lights around the "head" and a white star on top for shits and giggles.
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Jakub B.

Yelp
This is the iconic water tower of Ypsilanti. If you live in the area, you need to know about this place, and if you are just passing through, well it is a great piece of history to know about (plus a well known phallic symbol of the area). The Tower was built in the highest point of Ypsilanti (historically at least from what I recall) some time around 1890. Was used as a means to deliver water to locals, and there is a plaque that shows you the cost per faucet that it would have gone for at the time. It now stands as a historic marker for all drivers / walkers to easily identify where they are. Stop here, and take a picture, follow it on twitter, it's famous ;)
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Megan K.

Yelp
Heh. Heh. All I could think of when I saw this thing was teenage boys snickering uncontrollably. Oh wait. We did too. It was still kind of chilly when we went...So it was kind of a frosted dick. Even better, right?
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Jess C.

Yelp
If you know Ypsilanti or EMU, you know about the tower. Might not be the best symbol to represent a city but it is one nonetheless!
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Andria B.

Yelp
How can you not love a local landmark that looks like a giant penis? I mean come on!
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Jessica I.

Yelp
Well worth the trip to Ypsi. How can anyone with a giggling inner five-year-old not like the official World's Most Phallic Building?

Scott Y.

Yelp
JOHNSON [notices Dr. Evil's spaceship on radar] Colonel, you better take a look at this radar. COLONEL What is it, son? JOHNSON I don't know, sir, but it looks like a giant-- JET PILOT Dick! DICK Yeah? PILOT Take a look outta starboard. DICK Oh, my God! It looks like a huge-- BIRD-WATCHING WOMAN Pecker! BIRD-WATCHING MAN [raises his binoculars] Oh, where? BIRD-WATCHING WOMAN Wait! that's not a woodpecker. It looks like someone's-- ARMY SERGEANT PRIVATES! We have reports of an unidentified flying object! It is a long, smooth shaft, complete with-- UMPIRE 2 balls! [looks up from game] What is that? That looks just like an enormous-- TEACHER Wang! Pay attention! WANG I was distracted by that enormous flying-- MUSICIAN Willie. WILLIE Yeah? MUSICIAN What's that? WILLIE [looks up] Well, it looks like a giant-- COLONEL Johnson! JOHNSON Yes, sir! COLONEL Get on the horn to British Intelligence and let them know about this! Entire excerpt is from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Huhnkie L.

Yelp
The Ypsilanti Water Tower is a historic landmark. Let us appreciate it, and not insult it. It is a shame that many people see things in a skewed way. Why can't you see a thumb or mushroom or a match at the sight? Ypsilanti water tower is a historic landmark. By putting obscene association with the structure, people are insulting the town, the towners and the history. This must stop. Let us have some class.