The Leaning Tower of Texas: A Panhandle Mystery

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The Leaning Tower of Groom Texas

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. It's supposed to look like that.

The Backstory

If you're driving east of Amarillo on I-40, you’ll eventually see a massive water tower that looks like it's about to flatten the Texas soil. Known as the Leaning Tower of Groom (or Britten's Tower), this structure leans at a staggering 80-degree angle.

Contrary to what many passing tourists think, this wasn't an accident or the result of a Panhandle windstorm. It was a brilliant marketing stunt pulled off by a man named Ralph Britten. In the 1980s, he bought the tower from a nearby town, hauled it to Groom, and intentionally buried two of its legs shorter than the others to create a "visual emergency" that would lure people into his truck stop and restaurant.

📍 At a Glance

  • Location: I-40, Exit 114 (Groom, TX)
  • The Legend: Travelers still call the Highway Patrol to report a falling tower.
  • Status: It's now a lone landmark, as the original truck stop burned down years ago.

A Roadside "Emergency"

The tower is so convincing that it remains one of the most photographed spots on the old Route 66 corridor. Even though the restaurant it was meant to advertise is long gone, the tower stands as a testament to the wild, creative spirit of Texas roadside entrepreneurs. It serves no purpose other than to make you tap your brakes and wonder "how?"

Our Pro-Tip

The tower is located on the south side of the interstate. While you can see it perfectly from the highway, take Exit 114 to get right up to the fence for the best photos. The secret shot: Line up your camera so the tower looks like it's leaning directly over your car.

While you're in Groom, don't miss the 19-story Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ just a few miles away—it’s the largest cross in the Western Hemisphere and provides a massive contrast to the quirky tower down the road.

Keep your eyes on the road and your camera ready. Happy trails!

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