“How come so many small towns are named after water towers?”

“Have you ever noticed how many towns are named after their water towers?” is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images.
 
“How come so many small towns are named after water towers?” was printed in the Minneapolis (MN) Tribune on June 6, 1977. “Why is it that so many towns are named after their water towers?” was posted on the newsgroup alt.folklore.ghost-stories on October 24, 1999.
 
“Have you ever noticed how many towns are named after nearby water towers?” was posted on Twitter by Pastor Pending on November 2, 2017. “Ever notice how many towns are named after their water tower?” was posted on Facebook by John Martinez on January 6, 2021.
   
         
Wikipedia: Water tower
A water tower is an elevated building supporting a water tank constructed at a height sufficient to pressurize a water distribution system for the distribution of potable water, and to provide emergency storage for fire protection. Water towers often operate in conjunction with underground or surface service reservoirs, which store treated water close to where it will be used.
(...)
Some city water towers have the name of the city painted in large letters on the roof, as a navigational aid to aviators and motorists
   
Newspapers.com
6 June 1977, Minneapolis (MN) Tribune,“Guindon” cartoon, pg. 7B, col. 3:
(A mother and father are touring a town, when their daughter asks a question.—ed.)
“How come so many small towns are named after water towers?”
 
Newspapers.com
17 June 1978, Des Moines (IA) Register, “On Capitol Hill” by James Flansburg, pg. 9A, col. 3:
And from James Jordan of Marion, the Democratic candidate for state secretary of agriculture: “It’s amazing how many Iowa towns are named after their water towers.”
 
Newspapers.com
24 March 1979, The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), “Red Peppers” by Gus Schrader, pg. 1B, col. 1:
This angle caused Gov Robert Ray, who used to help Frosty broadcast Iowa football games, to make this comment: “In flying around this state, I’m amazed at how many towns are named after their water towers.”
 
Newspapers.com
31 May 1993, Des Moines (IA) Register, “On Capitol Hill” by David Yepsen, pg. 15A, col. 5:
Harkin said there are many reasons why Muhm should not retire, including:
 
“You haven’t explained why so many Iowa towns are named after water towers.”
 
Newspapers.com
30 July 1998, Qua-City Times (Davenport, IA), Bill Wundram column, pg. 2A, col. 1:
A POSTCARD from Remsen, Iowa, from inveterate biker Carter LeBeau, back from RAGBRAI: “Funniest comment on the trip from a New York biker who said he noticed all the small towns were named after their water towers.”
 
Google Groups: alt.folklore.ghost-stories
More sillies (ot)
Erica B
Oct 24, 1999, 3:00:00 AM
(...)
Why is it that so many towns are named after their water towers?
     
Google Groups: alt.folklore.ghost-stories
Strange Quotes Pt. 2 (OT)
St Erica Patron Saint of OT Posts
Feb 7, 2000, 3:00:00 AM
(...)
Why is it that so many towns are named after their water towers?
   
Twitter
Sara Evans
@saraevansmusic
Isn’t it amazing how many towns are named after water towers?
8:16 AM · Jul 4, 2010·Twitter Web Client
   
Twitter 
Dot Quaaaaaaaam!
@Quammunist
“Did you ever notice how many small towns are named after water towers?” -Ben Quam loves field trips.
3:37 PM · Mar 1, 2011·Twitter for Android
 
Twitter
Pastor Pending
@RecentPastor
Have you ever noticed how many towns are named after nearby water towers?
12:21 PM · Nov 2, 2017·Twitter for iPhone
 
Twitter
Jeremy Amstutz
@amstutz717
Isn’t it interesting that towns are named after their water tower?
6:00 PM · May 2, 2018·Twitter for iPhone
         
Twitter
Normal Human
@NORMALHUMAN4
You ever notice how many towns are named after water towers?
4:11 PM · Dec 18, 2018·Twitter for iPhone
 
Google Groups: gmcnet-archive
[GMCnet] A demented mind on the road again.
Bob Dunahugh via Gmclist
Jul 5, 2020, 12:35:44 AM
This late week. I observed something that I had never put together before. That most towns are named after their water towers. So now I’ll never wonder how towns got their names. So simple. What a revelation on a great weekend..
   
Facebook
John Martinez asked a question .
January 6, 2021 at 9:09 PM ·
Ever notice how many towns are named after their water tower?
 
Twitter
Daniel McCrath
@DanielMcCrath
Have you ever noticed how many towns are named after their water tower?
9:59 PM · Jan 6, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
   
Twitter
Justin Wilson
@JustWil23
Ever noticed how many towns are named after their water tower?
5:56 PM · Jan 7, 2021 from Arkansas, USA·Twitter for iPhone
   
Twitter
Open Day Count Down 76BaseballBaseballBaseball
@1soonernut
Ever notice how many towns are named after their water tower?
8:42 PM · Jan 8, 2021·Twitter for Android
 
Twitter
Dave The D.A.D.
@DaveADiehl
Bad Dad Joke 111 - Have you ever noticed that so many towns are named after their water tower?
9:53 PM · Jan 8, 2021·Twitter Web App
     
Facebook
Charles Tant
January 14, 2021 at 10:23 AM ·
It is amazing how many towns are named after their water towers.
 
Facebook
im not right in the head.com
January 17, 2021 at 2:02 AM ·
Shared by Mark Hyde
(The following text is printed on an image.—ed.)
Ever notice ow many
towns are named after
their water tower?