Sorry I don't have time to do a story (mom's in hospice) but looking at the spray paint on the tower it will probably light up the comments.
Seagate Homeboy Sez:
Please say hello to your mom for all of us . . . . Over the years she has been the “Most Favoritest Publix Cashier Ever”. (Yeah, I know about the spelling)
Now about that water tower . . . . Take note of the ladder on the left side below the catwalk. Now look at the support leg angled inward to the tank. The last 40 feet or so, where it separates from the leg, the ladder appears to lean back away from vertical. It didn’t matter if it was initiated by impetuous youth, fueled by alcohol, and aided by adrenalin, upon reaching that point, second thoughts rushed in about proceeding further, but there was no turning back (didn't want to be called "chicken").
Back in the day, the tradition was to climb late on graduation night. Yeah, the cops knew, and guys from previous classes ended up on probation. There’s even a story about someone climbing to the top of the tank and "liberating" the red warning lens . . . . Not my crew.
The way to not get arrested was to climb the night before graduation, or dumb o’clock in the morning, then try to keep your mouth shut on graduation day. No arrests are pending . . . .
p.s. It was scarier going down !!!
Seagate Homeboy
NHS Class of '67
Certain things in Naples are truly missed, and the water tower is one of them. I personally never climbed the tower but know many of my compadres have. I think it was the height thing at night. Though we did climb the Fire Rangers tower on Radio Rd next to the old Swampbuggy grounds many, many times at night (it had stairs, not a ladder)I didn't like that ladder on the side of the water tower. It creeped me out just standing at the bottom of it when looking up.
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PS
Bless you Dannys Mom/Peggy for the funny and fond memories. You guys Rock!
Prayers and Best Wishes to the Wall family