Old Market Place in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Nichols Station

Balch and Lippert, Architects

— 1917 —

Nichols Station Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

1. Nichols Station Marker

Inscription. Nichols Station is significant for its role in the advancement of water works technology and the public works history of Madison. The design introduced a steam operated pumping system, a turning point in water works technology which replaced the artesian well system. The new station was equipped with two Allis-Chalmers steam-driven pumping units of eight-million gallons per day capacity each. One of these pumps remains in place. Elements of the Prairie style used on this building were adopted system-wide and appear on most of Madison's subsequent water works buildings.

Designated October 25, 1993

Erected 2011 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 110.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 25, 1853.

Location. 43° 4.83′ N, 89° 22.995′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in Old Market Place. Marker is at the intersection of East Gorham Street and North Franklin Street, on the left when traveling west on East Gorham Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 427 East Gorham Street, Madison WI 53703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Voluntarios Internacionales de la Libertad (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gates of Heaven Synagogue (about 500 feet away); Bernard - Hoover Boat House (about 700 feet away); Irene and Robert Connor Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Anna and Cornelius Collins Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Governor's Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Timothy Brown House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Nichols Station. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "Nichols Station [is] also known as the Madison Water Works... Engineers for the construction of the station faced the challenge of constructing the building around and eventually enclosing the still-operating old pumping station. The station continued operation until 1976. The design of the pumping station reflects the influence of the Prairie School of architecture, uncommon in utilitarian structures. Design details of this main station were used in most of the smaller stations that sprung up around the city as Madison grew."

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

2. Nichols Station Marker

The marker is on the right corner of the building in this photo. The building has been converted into apartments.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

3. Nichols Station Marker

The marker is on the corner on the left. This is the northwest side of the building, which faces Lake Mendota.

Nichols Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

4. Nichols Station

The southeast side of the building, which is now surrounded by another apartment building on two sides.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

5. Nichols Station

The east corner of the building.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

6. Nichols Station

What was apparently a smokestack on the northeast side of the building was truncated and capped with a deck for one of the apartments.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

7. Nichols Station

A closeup view of the smokestack deck.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

8. Nichols Station

The smokestack deck from an internal courtyard.

The Remaining Allis-Chalmers Pump image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

9. The Remaining Allis-Chalmers Pump

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

10. The Remaining Allis-Chalmers Pump

This view shows the Allis-Chalmers stamp and a plaque stating "City of Madison 1920."

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

11. The Remaining Allis-Chalmers Pump

A closeup of the pump wheel on the steam-driven pump.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

12. The Remaining Allis-Chalmers Pump

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 5, 2011

13. The Remaining Allis-Chalmers Pump

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 622 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on November 6, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.