Kasson in Dodge County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Kasson Stone Water Tower

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

1. Kasson Stone Water Tower Marker

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
Click for more information.

Inscription.
Recognized as a local landmark since its construction, the Kasson Water Tower looks over the community. In 1895, 25 residents petitioned the Village of Kasson to erect a waterworks system inside the village limits. In June of that year, the council agreed and resolved to begin work. The plan included an 80-foot tower that held a wooden tank of 2,000 barrels, a 7-horsepower engine, an 8-inch well of suitable depth, a deep well pump, 3,600 feet of water main, and 10 hydrants. The total cost was approximately $6,000. C.R. Elder prepared the plans and E.E. Huelster was the local contractor. Limestone is the tower's distinguishing feature. Stonemason Edward Wilson, from Norway, laid the ornamental limestone. The stone came from the McDonough quarry, located three miles north near Mantorville. Inside the tower is a spiral staircase that leads to the top. Iron pipe and elbows with metal grid steps construct this unique feature. The tower was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. There were no similar structures of this type in use throughout the state when it was taken out of service in 1996. A local and

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statewide effort led to its restoration and preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 44° 1.874′ N, 92° 45.18′ W. Marker is in Kasson, Minnesota, in Dodge County. It is at the intersection of 2nd Street Northwest and 4th Avenue Northwest, on the left when traveling west on 2nd Street Northwest. The marker and subject water tower are located at the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kasson MN 55944, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota

and in Greater Rochester.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Kasson Stone Water Tower Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

2. Kasson Stone Water Tower Marker

(looking south • marker is on east/left side of water tower)

3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Minnesota's 1st Freedom Rock Comes to Kasson (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Zumbro Watershed (approx. 2.3 miles away); Hubbell House (approx. 2½ miles away); Mantorville Brewery (approx. 2½ miles away); Restoration House (approx. 2½ miles away); Log House (approx. 2½ miles away); Dodge County Veterans Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (approx. 2.6 miles away).

Regarding Kasson Stone Water Tower. National Register of Historic Places #76001051.

From the National Register Nomination:
The structure is comprised of a 50,000-gallon steel tank placed on an 86-foot-high ornamental limestone tower. The tower itself has a platform at the base of the tank; this platform employs a gas-pipe railing and a bracketed cornice as decorative elements. The inside ladder is made completely of iron pipe nipples and elbows. The most distinctive feature of the Kasson Water Tower is the ornamental use of limestone as a building material. The tower is significant in its use of building materials, a feature which distinguishes it among early municipal
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

3. Kasson Stone Water Tower Entrance
(a few steps from the marker)
water systems in South-central Minnesota. It is the only structure of its type in the region to remain in an unaltered state since the time of its construction in 1895 and is a significant example of nineteenth century engineering skill.

Also see . . . Kasson Water Tower. Dodge County Historical Society et al. PDF:
Excerpt:

The original tower was constructed around 1895, measured 86 feet tall, cost $6,000, and was made of 2,000 gallon wooden tank. The wooden tank was replaced one year later by a metal tank.

(Submitted on October 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Kasson Stone Water Tower<br>(<i>east elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

4. Kasson Stone Water Tower
(east elevation)

(marker is visible at bottom right)

Kasson Stone Water Tower<br>(<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

5. Kasson Stone Water Tower
(northeast elevation)

(marker is visible near bottom left)

Kasson Stone Water Tower<br>(<i>south elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

6. Kasson Stone Water Tower
(south elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 715 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.