First Milan Water Tower Bobble Unveiled

The limited-edition bobble is being released to celebrate the anniversary of Milan's historic state championship win in 1954.

Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.

(Milan, Ind.) - The historic Milan Water Tower is now available in bobble form. 

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame in conjunction with the Milan '54 Museum today unveiled the new bobble, which features a replica of the Milan Water Tower and 1954 state championship basketball trophy. 

The limited-edition bobble is being released to celebrate the anniversary of Milan's historic state championship win on March 20, 1954, as well as the 113th IHSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament.

The bobble is only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum's online store and the Milan '54 Museum. Cost is $30 plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each bobble benefit the Milan '54 Museum. 

"Constructed in 1924 and located just outside of Milan's downtown district, the most famous water tower in Indiana has proclaimed Milan's improbable high school boys basketball state championship since the mid-1950s. Built next to the Milan Furniture Company, in case the business ever caught fire, the water tower was painted black with white lettering reading, "STATE CHAMPS 1954" to honor the state championship won by the Milan Indians, otherwise known as the Milan Miracle of 1954. In 2018, the water tower, which was acquired by the town seven years earlier, received a much-needed facelift thanks to a $30,000 grant. Restoration efforts were launched by the town and the Milan '54 Hoosiers Museum. Prior to the most recent rejuvenation, the water tower was last painted in 1969. In addition to the new paint job, the tower is now lighted nightly," reads a press release from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame.

A limited number of bobbleheads featuring the players from the 1954 team are still available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum and the Milan '54 Museum. Cost is $25 or $250 for the complete set. 

Team members include Glen Butte, Ray Craft, Rollin Cutter, Kenny Delap, Bob Engel, Bill Jordan, Roger Schroder, Ronnie Truitt, Kenny Wendelman, Gene White, Bob Wichmann, and Bobby Plump, who's bobblehead can be seen above. 

The Milan '54 Museum said, "The player bobbleheads have been a great success and a fun item for our players and supporters, so we are excited to add the iconic Water Tower Bobblehead to our collection. The tower was painted immediately following the 1954 win, and for many, it has stood as a beacon for nearly 70 years. To those of us who have grown up in Milan, the water tower has been a symbol of home. No matter where we go, as we return to Milan and see the Water Tower welcoming us to town, we know we are home. We are proud to be able to share it with all in such a fun way."