The tower was previously located next to the Warner Bros . Fire Department , and was moved following the 1933 Long Beach earthquake , when the Warners realized that had the tower fallen and damaged the Fire Department , it would have disrupted emergency assistance . Towers such as these were a common feature of Hollywood studios of the era , as they provided an emergency water supply in case of fire . Similar towers can be found at the Walt Disney , Paramount and Sony Pictures Studios ( formerly MGM ) lots
1933 Long Beach earthquake
1933 Long Beach earthquake
Warner Bros. Water Tower