Foxborough Pumping Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Foxborough Pumping Station
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 26.6 acres (10.8 ha) |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Boyden, Ernest N.; O'Connell, William |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 05001362 |
| Added to NRHP | December 6, 2005 |
The Foxborough Pumping Station is a historic building in Foxborough, Massachusetts. It's a special place that used to pump water for the town. The main building was designed by Ernest Boyden, a well-known architect who created many water systems. It was built in 1891. This brick building has a unique style called Queen Anne.
The station also includes old wells, a garage from that time, and a man-made pond called Fales Pond. This pond was once a part of the Neponset Reservoir. The Foxborough Pumping Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. This means it's an important historical site.
What is the Foxborough Pumping Station?
The Foxborough Pumping Station is located at the end of Pumping Station Road. It sits on about 26.6 acres (about 10.8 hectares) of land. This area includes Fales Pond, which is now part of the Neponset Reservoir. This reservoir holds the beginning waters of the Neponset River.
The most important parts of the station are its main building and a storage garage. The main building was built in 1891. It is a brick building designed in the Late Victorian style by Ernest Boyden. The storage garage was built later, in 1953. There are also several wells that were drilled in 1948. An older set of wells from when the station was first built is no longer used.
Why Was the Pumping Station Built?
Foxborough started as a farming town. But in the 1800s, it grew into an industrial center. The town became famous for making straw hats. As more people moved to Foxborough and industries grew, the town needed a good supply of clean water. This water was important for public health and to protect factories from fires.
People started talking about a public water supply in 1879. But nothing happened until 1889. At that time, the Foxborough State Hospital was being built. This renewed the need for better fire protection. So, in 1891, the town approved the plan for the pumping station in its current spot.
Who Designed the Station?
Ernest Boyden was chosen to design the new water facility. He was already known for designing other public water pumping stations. When the station first opened, it used 24 shallow wells. These wells drew water from underground. The main pump then sent this water to the town.
In 1948, these shallow wells were replaced. Three deep wells were drilled instead. These new wells drew water from a large underground water source called an aquifer. This aquifer is located beneath the Neponset Reservoir. Later, in 1972, a fourth well was drilled. It replaced one of the older deep wells that had a cracked pipe.
