Manistique Pumping Station facts for kids
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Manistique Pumping Station
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| Location | Deer St., Manistique, Michigan |
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| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | Fridolf Danielson |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000316 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 26, 1981 |
The Manistique Pumping Station is a special building in Manistique, Michigan, located on Deer Street. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 because of its importance.
History of the Pumping Station
In the early 1900s, the city of Manistique grew bigger. Its water system needed updates. By 1920, the old system wasn't good enough for fighting fires. City leaders suggested building a new water tower and pumping station. They also planned a nearby dam and better water pipes.
The city needed to borrow $97,000 for these improvements. Voters approved the plan. Construction of the new tower started in June 1921. The entire water system was finished by September 1922.
This new system worked until 1954. Then, a newer pumping station took over. The old building was used for offices and as a public restroom until 1973. After that, the Schoolcraft Historical Society took care of the building. It was recognized as a state historical site in 1979. In 1981, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the tower is home to the Schoolcraft County Museum. It is also part of the Schoolcraft County Historical Park.
The building is special because it looks beautiful, even though it was built for a practical purpose.
What the Pumping Station Looks Like
The Manistique Pumping Station is a tall building. It is 38 feet wide on the outside and 33 feet wide inside. The tower stands 137 feet high. Inside, it held a huge steel tank. This tank was 30 feet across and 44 feet tall. It could hold 200,000 gallons of water!
The outside of the tower has eight sides, making it an octagon. The inside has 16 sides. This design made the building very strong. It helped support the heavy water tank. The building is mostly made of red brick. It has limestone decorations and sits on a strong concrete base. Near the top, there are windows with a fancy design above them. The roof is shaped like a dome and is made of copper.
