Olde Town Arvada in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Arvada Water Tower
Historic Olde Town Walking Tour
Photographed by Leslie Eudy
1. Arvada Water Tower Marker
Water Tower
Water For Everyone
Clean water was crucial to Arvada’s early growth. The ditch irrigation system that first provided Arvada’s drinking water was replaced in 1870 with the first well, hand-dug to 90 feet. This shallow well was replaced in 1887, when a steam powered drilling rig, dug a 592 foot well. A windmill pumped the water to Arvada households and businesses.
Municipal Water
The water tower in front of you, built in 1910, was celebrated as the area’s first water tank. As part of Arvada’s first municipal water system, the water tower was connected to two deep artesian wells. This assured Arvadans a safe and abundant gravity-fed water supply to support the town’s future growth.
Used until 1975, the tower can be seen for miles and has become a symbol for Historic Olde Town Arvada.
At the dedication ceremony in 1910, the Arvada Fire Department staged a water fight to demonstrate the water pressure provided by the new tank. The winning team skillfully used their hose to force a ball across the loser’s goal line.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features
this page online
Location. 39° 47.899′ N, 105° 4.896′ W. Marker is in Arvada, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It is in Olde Town Arvada. It is on Wadsworth Boulevard, on the left when traveling north. Marker is on Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, next to the walking trail across from the flour mill. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arvada CO 80002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bountiful Harvest (here, next to this marker); Before Arvada (a few steps from this marker); Arvada-Pride Flour Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Wadsworth Boulevard (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Small Town with Big City Ties (about 500 feet away); Supported by Agriculture
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, November 21, 2025
2. Arvada Water Tower Marker Wide View
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, November 21, 2025
3. Arvada Water Tower
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, January 26, 2026
4. Arvada Water Tower Up Close
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 28, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. 4. submitted on January 27, 2026, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
