Sulphur Springs Tower Looms Over Tampa

Have you ever driven by that big water tower you can see from 275 in north Tampa? I have a billion times and I always have wondered what it was all about. Other then being a former pump station for the Sulphur Springs area, Why is it still around?

I believe it must have historical importance. I mean, after all, there are supposedly only 5 signature photo shots of Tampa 1) the spires at UT. 2) The Hillsborough River Rapids. 3) The Gasbarilla festival 4) the street cars of Channel side and 5) THE SULPHUR SPRINGS WATER TOWER.

I’ll be honest with you; I have tried to shoot it before but always found the vantage point I wanted lacking. The thing is surrounded by a fence. The interstate is right up against it. I have ended up far away just to avoid clutter and got a small image of the tower way off in the distance. Not good.

Today, however, I was motivated. I earlier had seen a painting of the Tower on a mural in downtown Tampa. Either the artist was taking liberties with logistics or there had to be a way.

I pulled into the K-mart parking lot at Bird and Florida and headed off on foot. Today I’m going to follow the 3 B’s my grandfather taught about field photography. Be Brief…Be Brilliant…Be Gone! I was soon up against the fence along Bird starring straight at my nemesis. A tree on the inside of the property had hanging palms which made for a great framing device. Bam!! One Shot!! A publishable image!! I could have headed back to the car with something that could have gone into National Geographic. But, I was not done.

I drove over to an old closed down no-tell motel and headed again on foot across Florida to the base of the bridge. The bridge actually has a name…Check it out. It's the James L. Holmes Bridge era 1926. Before long I saw this clearing that lead down the embankment where there it was…THE MONEY SHOT! I climbed down the side with all the litter and mud and empty beer cans (This is not the best neighborhood) before I started shooting I noticed shopping carts on the bottom of the Hillsborough River. It was low tide and there where many of them. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to say about that.

The angle of the sun provided perfect side lighting! This was turning out to be a great day! Side lighting works best with a polarizing filter. The sky came out a deep blue. I was happy.

Before I left I could not help but notice how run down this part of town is. The tropical birds where out flying over the river just like they did 100,000 years ago. This was long before man created this urban scar tissue.

Comments

[David Dowling]

Driving South up Florida Ave then crossing over Waters Ave. going down the hill an a across the river.. We would stop and pay the water bill at the little house there - wasn't it called "Purity Springs Water Co." at one time??? I had the good fortune of going thru the tower..

[Raul]

Pretty interesting article about the current state of the water tower. Thought you might find it interesting.

[tommy]

You can get right to the base of the thing from the river. My family and I boated all the way up there one afternoon - it's definitely a different viewpoint than I had ever seen. Not that that would make a good shot (too close, I think - although I'm no professional for sure).

[tim]

Great job! It is a little peculiar Tampa has so few signature images. (Some would say looking up Dale Mabry on Strip Club Row might be one.)

[Addison]

Tim in da hood!