The Canadian Directory of Water Towers and Standpipes is sponsored by "Understanding Your Home" St. Thomas - Southwestern Ontario Elgin County. Photo © Mark Visser Tower Information Location: Sunset Drive Signage: Built: Height: Capacity: Tower Information Location: Water Tower Line Signage: Built: Height: Capacity:       RCAF Technical Training School (text on Ontario Historical Plaque) "The only facility of its kind in Ontario during the Second World War, No. 1 Technical Training School, St. Thomas was established by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 to produce skilled ground crews for active wartime service. It was housed here in this hospital complex and was operated in compliance with Canada's commitment to establish air training facilities in sites removed from the theatre of war. Equipped to handle more than 2000 students at a time, the school offered six month courses for aircraft electricians and aero-engine, airframe and instrument mechanics in addition to specialized training for fabric and sheet metal workers. When the war ended in 1945 the school was closed and the complex was returned to the Ontario Department of Health." Other sites you may be interested in USA Water Towers and Standpipes Magnetic Hills: USA, CA, Worldwide Thumbnail Collection of USA Water Towers The History of the Christian Fish Symbol Area Information. The city was first settled in 1810. It was named the seat of the new Elgin County in 1844 and was incorporated as a village in 1852, as a town in 1861. In 1881 St. Thomas became a city. It was named after Thomas Talbot who helped promote the development of this region during the early 19th century. Jumbo the circus elephant, said to be the world's biggest elephant at the time, died here on September 15, 1885, shortly after being hit by a locomotive. There is a life-sized commemorative statue that was erected in 1985.   Home Ontario - S Index