Milan to Dedicate ‘State Champs 1954’ Water Tower
(Images courtesy of the Milan '54 Hoosiers Museum.)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe town of Milan will Saturday dedicate the iconic water tower that celebrates Milan High School’s 1954 Boys State Basketball Championship. The underdog story inspired the 1986 movie "Hoosiers," which put the community on the national stage.
The water tower, which is painted black with white lettering that reads "State Champs 1954," was built in 1924 and last painted almost 50 years ago. The town acquired the tower, first constructed as fire protection for the now-defunct Milan Furniture Co., in 2011. Restoration efforts began a year ago. The project was funded through a more than $28,000 grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation and more than $1,000 from a collection jar in a local liquor store.
Festivities will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and the dedication ceremony is slated for 10:00 a.m. Speakers from the 1954 Milan High School Basketball Team, Milan ’54 Hoosiers Museum, Rising Sun Regional Foundation and town of Milan will take part in the event and "The Travel-Aires," who sang at the State Finals scene in "Hoosiers" will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner." Additional activities throughout the day include free hair cuts at the Milan ’54 Hoosiers Museum Barbershop, autograph session with the 1954 team and a showing of "Hoosiers" in the Marvin Wood Gymnasium at Milan Middle School. You can connect to more about the day’s events by clicking here.