Here's a discussion with Detroit old-timers. They recall that some Detroit gasometers (or gas holders) survived into the late 1960s. Natural gas pipelines came into Detroit in the late 1930s, making coal gas production obsolete. The gasometers were still used, though:

...In the second half of the 20th century, the rise of natural gas distribution via gas pipelines supplanted that system [coal gas production] and the existing gas holders were used (in a less crucial capacity) for managing the pressure of the natural gas pipelines, until the holders reached the end of their useful lifespan.

There were three or four of these back in the '60s when I grew up; I remember the one near Detroit City Airport that had a red and white checkered top and a neon sign on top that said "GAS IS BEST" and it blinked. Dad used to take us to the airport to sit and watch the planes land and take off. I never got on a plane until 1999.

[By the 1960s, "city gas" (aka coal gas or illuminating gas), as well as gasometers or gas holders, were long gone from most places (except Sylvia Plath's oven in the UK). "Gas Is Best" almost certainly meant natural gas. - Dave]

I once sent in a comment about a beautiful steam locomotive saying that if there were a museum of the ten most ingenious examples of human design and accomplishment, then they’d have to include that fine shiny loco. I think this gasometer qualifies for inclusion in that museum, too, when you consider the design, the fabrication of all the components, the delivery, and then the assembly. Not a trifling accomplishment, and one of which humankind ought to be justifiably proud. Sometimes we are very clever monkeys.

Er, we're gonna need a bigger crane.

Not gonna ask anything about the uses of Car No. 9.