North Point Water Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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North Point Water Tower
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North Point Water Tower
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| Location | East North Ave. Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
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| Architect | Charles A. Gombert |
| Architectural style | Victorian Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000088 |
| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1973 |
The North Point Water Tower is a historic building in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was built a long time ago, between 1873 and 1874. This tower was an important part of Milwaukee's very first public water system. It has a special look called Victorian Gothic style, which was thought to be quite beautiful for a water tower! In 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site.
Why the Tower Was Built
The city of Milwaukee got permission from the Wisconsin Legislature in 1871 to build this water tower. A man named Charles A. Gombert designed it. The tower was made from strong limestone that came from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Its main job was to protect a large iron pipe inside it.
How the Water System Worked
Below the tower, there was a pumping station. This station pulled water from Lake Michigan. Then, powerful pumps pushed this water into the city's water system.
The big pipe inside the tower was called a standpipe. It was four feet wide and 120 feet tall! This standpipe helped to smooth out the water flow. It stopped the huge pumps from causing damaging pulses in the water pipes. The stone tower around the standpipe also had another important job. It kept the water inside the pipe from freezing during cold Wisconsin winters.
