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. Marker 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.

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

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. ¼ mile away); Hostess House (approx. ¼ mile away); Electronics Research Laboratory (approx. 0.6 miles away); Birthplace of “Silicon Valley” (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palo Alto.

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 498 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 4, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.