Near Marbury in Chilton County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Water Tank
Natural spring water filled a spring house and then flowed continuously into the reservoir. Then, a coal-fired steam-powered pump pushed the water uphill to a large wooden storage tank located on the hill. The tank's seventy-five foot height insured constant pressure for a network of pipes that ran throughout the complex.
More efficient gasoline powered machinery replaced the steam driven pumping equipment in 1919. Following the close of the Home in 1939, the water tank and pumping machinery were removed by the State Conservation Department for use in various parks across Alabama.
Photo captions:
Natural Spring
Left: A spring is a point where groundwater lows from the ground. The water works system of the Alabama Confederate Soldiers Home begins at a natural spring.
Left middle: Steam Pump
Steam pumps are force pumps operated by steam acting on the piston of a steam engine directly connected to the pump, and in many cases cast with the pump. A section of a double-acting steam pump showing the steam and water cylinders, with other details, is illustrated [here]" — Hallock 1905
Right middle: Water Tank, Missouri Confederate Soldiers' Home
The Alabama Confederate Soldiers' Home used a water tank similar to this one.
Right: E.L. More Cottage, Alabama Confederate Soldiers' Home
The Soldiers' Home water system provided running water to all nine cottages, the commandant's house (above), hospital, administrative building and wherever water was needed at the facility.
Erected by Confederate Memorial Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 32° 43.246′ N, 86° 28.38′ W. Marker is near Marbury, Alabama, in Chilton County. Marker is on County Road 63, 0.7 miles north of State Route 143, on the right when traveling north. Located within Confederate Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 437 Co Rd 63, Marbury AL 36051, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Memorial Hall Flagpole (within shouting distance of this marker); Monument to Jefferson Manly Falkner (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Marbury Methodist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Woven Wire Fence (about 400 feet away); The Alabama Confederate Soldiers' Home (about 500 feet away); Mess Hall c. 1920-1929 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marbury.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.