Palatka in Putnam County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Palatka Waterworks
1886-1986
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 11, 2014
1. Palatka Waterworks Marker
Whitewater Branch was the primary water source for Palatka
In 1886-87 Wheeler and Parks Company of Boston, Mass., built the Palatka Waterworks. The steam pumping machinery delivered one million gallons of water in 24 hours. In 1947, the spring flow was still sufficient to fill the normal needs of the city. The Waterworks continued to operate until 1986.
Whitewater Branch continued to feed the St. Johns River
The construction of the Waterworks east of the ravines modified Whitewater Branch. The water ran through a brick-lined channel towards the Waterworks. Part of it poured into a reservoir, to he pumped to Palatka citizens. The rest flowed into the marshes and the St. Johns River. Whitewater Branch is fed by numerous small springs and seeps within the ravines.
The clear waters of Whitewater Branch have provided water to people for thousands of years.
(photo captions)
The Worthington Steam Pump was capable of pumping 1 million gallons of water in 24 hours.
Palatka Waterworks, renovated in 2001. The Waterworks is an important focal point for the history of Palatka.
Erected by Florida State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work
this page online
Location. 29° 38.013′ N, 81° 38.554′ W. Marker is in Palatka, Florida, in Putnam County. It can be reached from Twigg Street east of South 18th Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located within Ravine Gardens State Park, along the gardens loop road, near the old Palatka Waterworks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600 Twigg Street, Palatka FL 32177, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Saw Palmetto (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Suspension Bridges and Amphitheater (about 600 feet away); Native Americans at the River (about 800 feet away); Ravine State Gardens (approx. Ό mile away); William Bartram Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); Garden Center History (approx. 0.3 miles away); Grand Gables Inn (approx. Ύ mile away); The Hammock (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palatka.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Civil War and the Ravines (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. This is a large, rectangular, composite marker, mounted at eye-level
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 13, 2019
2. Palatka Waterworks Marker (wide view of marker kiosk)
Also see . . . Palatka Water Works History. City website entry:
From 1886 to 1986 the Palatka Water Works could provide up to one million gallons of water a day to the City of Palatka for local use and fire protection. When it was closed, the building and grounds fell into disrepair. In 1999, a grant was acquired to repair the roof and re-point the outside brickwork. With additional donations from many area businesses, organizations, and individuals, the first phase of restoration was accomplished in 2002. (Submitted on February 19, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 11, 2014
3. Palatka Waterworks Building (view from Ravine Gardens trail, near marker)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 11, 2014
4. Palatka Waterworks Reservoir Ruins (view from Ravine Gardens trail, near marker)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, February 13, 2013
5. Palatka Waterworks Reservoir Ruins (view from Ravine Gardens trail, near marker)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 11, 2014
6. Palatka Waterworks (wide view from Ravine Gardens trail, near marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 638 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 18, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 19, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
