Old Fresno Water Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Fresno Water Tower
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Water tower in 2009
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| Location | 2444 Fresno Street Fresno, California |
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| Built | 1894 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000139 |
| Added to NRHP | October 14, 1971 |
The Old Fresno Water Tower is a very old and important building in Fresno, California. It's a special kind of tower that used to store water for the city. This tower is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A famous architect named George Washington Maher designed it. The tower was finished in 1894. It stopped holding water in 1963. Since 2001, it has been a place where visitors can learn about Fresno.
Contents
The Story of the Old Fresno Water Tower
Building a City Landmark
A talented architect from Chicago, George Washington Maher, was asked to design a new water tower for Fresno in 1891. His idea for the tower was inspired by a big event: the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. That fire destroyed many buildings, including the Chicago Public Library. But the Chicago Water Tower survived and even became a temporary library!
Maher's first plan for the Fresno tower included a library and a third floor inside. However, these parts were never built. The construction of the tower was completed in November 1894. It cost about $20,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
From Water Supply to Historic Site
The Old Fresno Water Tower was used to supply water to the city until 1963. By then, its pumping equipment was too old and couldn't keep up with the city's needs.
Because of its history and unique design, the tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1971. This means it's recognized as a very important historic place in the United States. In 1972, it was also named an American Water Landmark by the American Water Works Association.
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For many years, the first floor of the tower was used to fix parking meters. But in 2001, the tower was renovated and given a new purpose. It became the official visitors' center for Fresno and Fresno County. During this renovation, the second floor was removed to create more open space.
In 2014, the Fresno Art Council took over managing the water tower. Now, it also features an art gallery, making it a cool place to see local art!
Design and Architecture
What Makes the Tower Special?
The Old Fresno Water Tower is a great example of American Romanesque architecture. This style often uses strong, rounded arches and sturdy brickwork.
The tower stands about 109 feet (33 meters) tall. It once held a huge water storage tank that could hold 250,000 gallons (about 946,000 liters) of water!
Inside and Out
The tower has two main walls. The inner wall is about 2 feet (61 cm) thick, and the outer wall is about 14 inches (36 cm) thick. These walls are separated by a space about 3 feet (91 cm) wide. The outside of the tower is painted brick.
Even though a third story was planned, it was never built. This means the second story has a very tall ceiling, making the space feel grand. About halfway up the tower, there's a balcony. It's decorated with fancy iron corbels, which are like decorative brackets. The roof of the tower is made of strong tiles.
