Took this photo during a trip to Fire Island recently. The tower is located in the roundabout that's in front of the USCG Station on Fire Island. There were no signs that we could see anywhere near the tower and no place to park and walk across to the roundabout. I emailed to an address on the USCG site, but it was returned as undeliverable. Anybody know what the tower is and why it's there?

Thanks,
Sandy

P.S. Looks similar to Avery Point--is there a connection?

The Jones Beach Tower, which was built in 1930, and was modelled on the campanile of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. It is 200 feet high, made of brick and stone, and houses a 315,000 gallon water tank for storage of water from four wells, each over 1,000 feet deep.
HCS

THank you--now I have to look up "campanile." Lordy, lordy, what an education I'm getting. . . .

Sandy

How about a free standing bell tower? Thanks for the informative post, Hilari. I wonder whose idea it was to copy the St. Mark's campanile? Innovative way to house a water tank.

Is there a similar tower/water tank near Shinnecock? I was tied up at Oakland's Marina and had friends come down with a car. I thought I remembered that tower as one we passed when we were riding around. We did visit Fire Island on another trip and maybe that's where I remember that tower from.

Bob

Hilari,

I think the tower I've shown here is the Robert Moses State Park Water Tower based on:

http://www.nycroads.com/roads/robert-moses/

You are correct in your description of Jones Beach Tower, but that description doesn't belong to my picture. Thank you again for providing the lead I need to get more information.

Sandy

Sandy you are correct. Hilari there's a similar tower at Jones Beach. I certain there's not one at Shinnecock, Bob. These seem to be a standard item in NYS Parks. Kind of a Robert Moses ICON!