This yellow Smiley Water Tower stands alongside the Mother Road. A unique photo stop, & who can't respond in kind to a giant smiley face. The Smiley is located in the small Route 66 town of Atlanta, Illinois.
Atlanta, IL lies midway along the 300 mile long section of Illinois Route 66. Alongside US-66 alignments from the periods: 1926, 1930 and 1940.
In 2003, at a cost of $175,000 the municipal Water Tower was painted with a giant Smiley Face as part of the Towns Route 66 corridor program, along with four other refurbished & purchased Route 66 attractions placed by the Town - The J. H. Hawes Grain Elevator, Route 66 park, Palm's Grille Café, & one of the most visited & photographed attractions along the whole of the Mother Road - Tall Paul - the giant Muffler Man, holding a Hot Dog.
Atlanta's Smiley Face Water Tower greets you as you drive into town. Like a bright yellow beacon, it is really hard to miss and a great photo opportunity! In fact, the city of Atlanta painted it to welcome those of us driving old Route 66.
If you are driving Route 66, this is the only smiley face water tower.
From Trip Adviser
ATLANTA'S SMILEY FACE
WATER TOWER
This happy water tower greets those who travel to Atlanta with a warm smile. Atlanta’s Smiley Face Water Tower welcomes visitors from far and wide to this quaint, rural community. Towering over the town, it is the
only smiley face water tower on Route 66 in Illinois. It offers a great photo opportunity while you visit this very small, very friendly, very Route 66 community.
From Illinois Route 66