On this site, the old City Hall and a 125-foot water tower once stood. On October 3, 1964, during Hurricane Hilda, the water tower twisted and fell, killing the men in city hall. In the worst tragedy in Erath history, eight men lost their lives: Rane "Scotty" Bernard, Otto "Cowboy" Bourque, Joseph Camile Brown, Felix Dubois, Clifton J. Dugas, Duffy Broussard, Vernice Broussard, and Eutis "Noo Noo" Menard. They were remembered as brave men who stayed to protect others.