Downtown North in Palo Alto in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

History of Tower Well

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 20, 2015

1. History of Tower Well Marker

Inscription. This tower well symbolizes what is best about a forward thinking, progressive city government that chose local ownership of essential utility services. Due to the foresight of town leaders such as Stanford Engineering professors Charles "Daddy" Marx and Charles Benjamin Wing, Palo Alto began municipal operation of its water utility in 1896. In 1910, this well was built to assure citizens in North Palo Alto of a safe and reliable source of water. Equally important, it provided valuable fire protection for the many wooden structures downtown.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 37° 26.76′ N, 122° 10.048′ W. Marker is in Palo Alto, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Downtown North. It is at the intersection of Hawthorne Avenue and Alma Street, on the right when traveling north on Hawthorne Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Palo Alto CA 94301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

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and on the Coast Ranges.

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: San Francisquito Creek Watershed (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named San Francisquito Creek Watershed (approx. 0.2 miles away); El Palo Alto (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early People of the Creek (approx. 0.2 miles away); Portola Journey's End (approx. ¼ mile away); Hostess House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Face Book (approx. ¼ mile away); 401 Florence (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palo Alto.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Hostess House War and Veterans Memorial (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing).

History of Tower Well Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 20, 2015

2. History of Tower Well Marker - Wide View

The base of the tower is visible in the background.

Tower Well - Closeup of Inset Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

circa 1920

3. Tower Well - Closeup of Inset Photo on Marker

The Tower Well image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 20, 2015

4. The Tower Well

Note that the marker visible in this picture is not the historical marker for this page, but rather a dedication panel.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 980 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 4, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.