At first glance, it looks like a vintage piece of Arizona’s railroad history. Look closer, and you’ll see this 35-foot digital water tower in Peoria is anything but old school.

We recently completed the design, fabrication, and installation of this custom replica, which mimics the historic infrastructure once common across the American West. While it stays true to the area’s heritage, the water tank is actually a sophisticated communication hub featuring a fully integrated 360-degree LED wrap.

Getting that authentic look wasn’t an accident. We fabricated the steel support system with a custom faux rust finish to give it a weathered, industrial feel without sacrificing the structural integrity. We even topped it off with a standing seam roof and hidden ventilation to keep the profile clean.

But the real star is the technology:

• The Display: A 13-foot diameter screen standing nearly 15 feet tall.
• The Tech: We used 10.67mm SMD LEDs with a 420-by-1,200 matrix resolution, built to stay bright and clear even in the middle of a high-noon Arizona summer.
• Branding: To make sure it pops day or night, we mounted two 48-inch illuminated city logos right onto the tower.

Our team handled the entire scope of the project, from the initial engineering and caisson footings to the 5G cellular integration. Because the system runs on a 5G data plan, we can manage content and updates remotely, allowing the city of Peoria to communicate with residents in real-time through a 400-amp power system.

This project is a perfect example of where our industry is headed by finding ways to bring modern communication into traditional spaces. Since 1920, YESCO has focused on pushing the boundaries of what a sign can be, and we’re proud to help Peoria celebrate its past while embracing the tech of the future.