Wausau in Marathon County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wausau Water Works
Serving Wausau since 1885
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2011
1. Wausau Water Works Marker
Clean drinking water has always been important, but in 1885, Wausau Water Works was built for a different reason — to supply water for fighting fires. 1885 was an especially bad fire year in Wausau. There were 23 alarm fires, including a lumberyard fire. When fires blazed, Wausau Water Works pumped from the Wisconsin River rather than a well.
In cases of large fires, the fire department would ask the waterworks operator to sound a city-wide steam whistle. This meant that Wausau residents should stop using water so that it could be used to fight the fire.
How much water do you use in a day?
Believe it or not, the average person today uses more than 60 gallons of water daily. Before 1885, Wausau residents drew water from a well or from the river and carried it in buckets.
Today, the plant treats and supplies more than 5 million gallons of clean water daily through a network of nearly 200 miles of water mains.
[logos of] River Edge Parkway • Welcome Home Wausau
Erected by River Edge Parkway, Welcome Home Wausau.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 44° 57.503′ N, 89° 37.957′ W.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Federal Building (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Business Boomed at Big Bull Falls (approx. 0.2 miles away); Why is it called Big Bull Falls? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Big Bull Falls • Birthplace of Wausau (approx. 0.2 miles away); Big Bull Falls (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heinemann Bros. Bee Hive Store (approx. ¼ mile away); Pioneer Rehabilitation Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wausau Club (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wausau.
More about this marker. [photo captions, clockwise]
• Wausau Water Works plant, 1902 Courtesy of Marathon County Historical Society, Wausau, Wisconsin.
• $2.75 water bill for Nov.-May, 1898. Courtesy of Marathon County Historical Society, Wausau, Wisconsin.
• Wausau Water Works was built primarily to fight fires such as this at the Alexander Stewart Mill, May 26, 1886. Courtesy of Marathon County
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2011
2. Wausau Water Works Marker
Also see . . . Wausau Water Works. City website entry (Submitted on October 9, 2011.)
Additional keywords. Shooting the Rapids
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2011
3. White Water Park
Wausau Park System
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2011
4. Nearby Sculpture
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2011
5. Sculpture
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2011
6. Sculpture Plaque
Sculptor: Mike Capser
[Rotary International logo]
Given to the Greater Wausau Community
by the Wausau Earlybird Rotary Club
July 31, 1998
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 712 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 9, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
