Update 11/26/2025 – the water tower has been moved near the front gate, where it can be seen.
Friends,
Another big milestone for the Pillsbury Project was reached today, the AB-Mill water tower came down. Workers cut the legs and dropped it on the roof yesterday. Today it was cabled and rolled over the edge safely. The northeast skyline of Springfield is changing. Certainly, a bittersweet milestone. See MPF Facebook page for video:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AnypeYboL
The AB-Mill water tower had been in place since 1929 when the mill was initially built. It served to provide water and head pressure for the flour milling process and the fire sprinkler system. The top of the tower stood at an elevation of 210 feet above street level. It was an iconic fixture of the Springfield skyline for 96 years.
Moving Pillsbury Forward will try to salvage the top ball from the water tower and keep it as a memorial piece representing the manufacturing history of Pillsbury in Springfield, It came off when the tower hit the roof then hung up on a ladder yesterday. Today it presumably came down with the tower and still needs to be located.
Demolition of the remaining structures at the site will continue for the next several months. All structures (including the Headhouse and Silos) are anticipated to be down by the end of March 2026 (5 months).
The bulk of the debris at the site will be recycled. Metal will leave the site for recycling. Mixed concrete and brick will be crushed and used for basement fill. Additional concrete will be crushed and used for road fill. An estimated 95 percent of the bulk materials from all structures will be recycled. 650 tons of brick from the site have already been stacked and recycled. Many fixtures from the site have also been harvested for re-use.
Thanks for being a part of this important community project!
~ Team Pillsbury