Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Rockford Tower
By Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
1. Rockford Tower Marker
In 1895, Theodore Leisen, engineer for the Wilmington Board of Park Commissioners, recommended that "a large pavilion and observatory" be built in Rockford Park on what was called Mt. Salem Hill, the highest point in the city at 330 feet above sea level. His proposal coincided with the Board of Water Commissioners' conclusion that Wilmington was in need of a new water tower in that neighborhood. The two boards merged their projects in Rockford Tower. Built between 1899 and 1902, the half-million-gallon water storage tank and observatory is constructed of natural field stone and is an example of the Italian Renaissance Revival style. Rockford Tower is 57 feet in diameter at the base, 75 feet high to the floor of the observatory, and reaches a total height of 115 feet.Erected 2000 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-110.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location.
By Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
2. Rockford Tower
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Samuel Francis Du Pont (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mount Salem United Methodist Church (about 800 feet away); Gibraltar (approx. 0.4 miles away); Thomas Francis Bayard (approx. half a mile away); Alexis I. duPont Middle School (approx. half a mile away); Wawaset Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Flight of the Delaplane (approx. 0.6 miles away); Kentmere Parkway (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
By Stephen J Duncan, September 20, 2010
3. Rockford Tower
By Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
4. Looking Back ...over 100 years ago from this spot.
Rockford Tower, opened in 1901, was designed to be an observation tower and water tank by architects Elijah Dallett, Jr. and Louis C. Banker, Jr., and by engineer Theodore A. Leisen. The tank, still a part of the city water system, holds 500,000 gallons of water. Here, two men perch on the unfinished tower in the fall of 1900.
By Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
5. Rockford Tower Cornerstone
By Stephen J Duncan, April 26, 2009
6. Rockford Tower Door
Some recent remodeling done to the tower
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,542 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on September 23, 2010, by Stephen J Duncan of Wilmington, Delaware. 4, 5. submitted on November 15, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 6. submitted on September 23, 2010, by Stephen J Duncan of Wilmington, Delaware.
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