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Historic Water Tower in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

Old North Point Water Tower

 
 
Old North Point Water Tower Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Paul F, October 13, 2009
1. Old North Point Water Tower Marker
Inscription. The 1871 Wisconsin legislature authorized the City of Milwaukee to finance and build a public water system. By 1873 the Board of Water Commissioners had constructed the old North Point Pumping Station below the bluff with intake from Lake Michigan, this tower, a reservoir a mile west, and 55 miles of water mains delivering cheap, plentiful, pure water to Milwaukee’s people and industry.

This 175 foot Victorian Gothic Tower, designed by Charles A. Gombert and made of cut Niagara limestone from Wauwatosa, houses a circular wrought iron standpipe 120 feet high and four feet in diameter. Until construction of a new pumping station in 1963 the standpipe water absorbed pulsations of reciprocating steam-driven engines, and the tower prevented ice forming in the standpipe during cold weather.
 
Erected 1973 by Milwaukee Water Works and Milwaukee County Historical Society. (Marker Number 201.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
 
Location. 43° 3.586′ N, 87° 52.793′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in Historic Water Tower. Marker is
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at the intersection of East North Avenue and North Lake Drive and North Terrace Avenue, in the median on East North Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2311 East North Avenue, Milwaukee WI 53202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Saint John's Infirmary (within shouting distance of this marker); Milwaukee Harp Luminaire (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint Mary's School of Nursing (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Villa Terrace (approx. 0.2 miles away); Milwaukee River Flushing Pump (approx. 0.6 miles away); North Point Light Station (approx. 0.6 miles away); Charles Allis House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Civil War Camp (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.
 
Old North Point Water Tower image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Paul F, October 13, 2009
2. Old North Point Water Tower
Marker is nestled in shrubs in front of tower.
North Point Water Tower image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, June 30, 2011
3. North Point Water Tower
Located on the rear of the tower.

North Point Water Tower
Erected in 1873 and designated in 1968
as a Landmark of the City of Milwaukee
by the Milwaukee Landmarks Commission
in recognition of its architectural and
historical significance to the community
An American Water Landmark image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, June 30, 2011
4. An American Water Landmark
North Point Water Tower May 19, 1969 Significant in the history of public water supply Designated by American Water Works Association
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,726 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin.   3, 4. submitted on July 1, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024