MINOOKA — A Minooka landmark came down Monday afternoon as the orange and black water tower hit the ground.

It came down with a little bit of a thud, according to Minooka Public Works Superintendent Rob Tonarelli, but nothing too earth shattering.

The orange water tower, which sat across from Minooka High School since around 1976, sported the high school's athletic team colors as well as their name: Minooka Indians.

It was used by many people as a landmark to find such places as the high school, village hall and the road leading to downtown Minooka, Tonarelli said.

It also pointed the way to Ed and Carol Lamping's home.

"It was the way we always gave directions to the house," Ed Lamping said.

The property that the water tower sat on is adjacent to the Lamping home on McEvilly Road.

The homestead once belonged to Carol's family and the water tower property was given to the village by her father, former mayor John McEvilly.

 "There's a little bit of history here for her family," Lamping said as he watched D Construction dismantle the tower on Tuesday. "I guess we are sorry to see it go down for that reason."

The old water tower was outdated and too small for village use. Icing around its base from last winter created concerns about the tanks storage ability. It's estimated to be 75 to 85 years old. Minooka is the second owner.

It was decided once the tower was in need of repairs and painting, it would be time to take it down. That time was Monday evening around 4 p.m. Tonarelli said.

Dave Clark, a former Minooka Public Works employee, took photos as D Construction removed the tower's legs Monday. Clark was with the village from 1976 until 1982. The used tower was brought in from Chicago and assembled on the spot when he first began working for Minooka.

Clark has photos of when it was erected and wanted to have some of it being dismantled.

"It's exciting to see something like that come down," Clark said.

By the end of the day Tuesday, all that would likely remain would be pieces of the tower, Tonarelli said. A huge shear would cut it up like a pair of scissors. The pieces will be sold as scrap.

A few people watching the demolition talked of how the landmark would be missed from its spot on the corner of McEvilly Road and Wabena Street.

"I think it's going to look a little funny," Lamping said. "It will take a little getting used to."