Beloit water tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Beloit water tower
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Beloit water tower
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| Location | 1005 Pleasant St. Beloit, Wisconsin |
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| Architect | J. B. Kinley |
| MPS | Beloit MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003410 |
| Added to NRHP | January 7, 1983 |
The Beloit water tower is a historic water tower built in 1889 in Beloit, Wisconsin. It is made of limestone and has eight sides, making it an octagon. This tower helped Beloit get clean water and better fire protection.
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Why Beloit Needed a Water Tower
Long ago, Beloit faced big problems with water. The city had volunteer fire companies. They used hoses and pumps to get water from the Rock River. They also used private wells and cisterns. But often, fires were too big or too far away. In 1884, two churches even burned down.
Besides fires, clean drinking water was a major concern. Without it, people could get very sick. Diseases like diphtheria and typhoid fever were a risk. The people of Beloit argued for years. They needed to decide if the city or a private company should provide water.
Building the First Water System
In 1885, some local business people decided to help. They agreed to pay for a private water system. They hired a company called Fairbanks, Morse Co. to design it. J.B. Kinley designed the water tower itself.
The tower was built on a high spot in town. Its walls are 36 feet tall. They are made of thick limestone. At the bottom, the octagonal walls are eight feet thick. As the tower goes up, the walls get thinner in four steps. The top part is 30 feet wide. Tall, narrow windows let light inside.
How the Original Tower Worked
The first water tank sat on top of the tower. It was 20 feet deep. This tank was made of cypress wood. It could hold 100,000 gallons of water. A pumping station was built nearby. It used steam-powered pumps. This system could shoot a two-inch stream of water 130 feet high!
Workers laid seven miles of water pipes. These pipes went through the city. They connected to 72 fire hydrants. The city paid a tax for fire protection. The water company also wanted homes to use city water. They even offered free pipes to the curb for the first 100 customers.
Changes Over the Years
In 1914, the cypress wood tank broke. The water company replaced it with a metal tank. This new tank was the same size. It was built by the Eclipse Wind Mill Company in Beloit. A small dome, called a cupola, was on top of the tank. A flag pole sat on top of the cupola.
By 1929, the water system served many people. But the old tower was no longer modern. A new, bigger steel tower was built nearby. It had a 200,000-gallon tank. The metal tank was removed from the old stone tower. The stairs inside were also taken out.
Saved from Demolition
Workers started to tear down the stone walls. But the tower was built very well. It was too expensive to demolish it completely. So, the demolition stopped. A local newspaper called the tower "the finest piece of masonry in the west." In 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list recognizes important historical places.
The Tower Today
Today, the stone water tower is a famous landmark. It is a great spot for taking photos. The area around the tower is now Water Tower Park. It has a walkway that is easy for everyone to use.
The old pump house is also restored. It now holds offices for the City of Beloit Parks and Leisure Services. It also houses the Friends of Riverfront offices. Visitors can stop by during business hours. The Shingle Style pump house is now the Beloit Visitor Center.
