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Old Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
 

Sacramento Water Works

Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

 
 
Sacramento Water Works Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, May 4, 2023
1. Sacramento Water Works Marker
Inscription. Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Sacramento Water Works Completed in April 1854, the City of Sacramento’s water works was the first municipal, city-owned water system west of the Mississippi River. Before the municipal system was built, the residents of the city of Sacramento were provided water from individual providers with horsedrawn wagons selling water by the gallon. The disastorous fire on November 2nd, 1852 that destroyed 27 blocks in Sacramento convinced the citizens to tax themselves to pay for a distribution system with hydrants that could help fight fires. The water works building had a 240,000-gallon reservoir on the top of the building, with the space below occupied by City Hall offices for elected officials, the Municipal Court, and the City Jail. Completed 1854 Designated February 2022
 
Erected 2022.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1854.
 
Location. 38° 35.077′ N, 121° 30.294′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California,
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in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. It is at the intersection of I street and Front Street, on the right when traveling west on I street. The marker is on the wall of the Sacramento History Museum, in Old Sacramento. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Sacramento Valley and specifically in the Central Valley. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1854 City Hall and Waterworks (a few steps from this marker); 1854 Flagpole (a few steps from this marker); Prisoner of the River (within shouting distance of this marker); Eagle Theatre (about 300 feet away); Professor L.A. Lauriet's Assay Office (about 300 feet away); New England Seed Store (about 400 feet
Sacramento Water Works Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, May 4, 2023
2. Sacramento Water Works Marker
away); Sacramento's Early Waterfront (about 400 feet away); The Pony Express (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. Sacramento's Original Level (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).
 
Sacramento Water Works Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, May 4, 2023
3. Sacramento Water Works Marker
Sacramento Water Works Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, May 4, 2023
4. Sacramento Water Works Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2023, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 423 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 22, 2023, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
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Jul. 31, 2026