Property Record
901 SYCAMORE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | River Falls Water Tower |
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| Other Name: | Sycamore Water Tower |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 149241 |
| Location (Address): | 901 SYCAMORE ST |
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| County: | Pierce |
| City: | River Falls |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1959 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | |
| Historic Use: | public utility/power plant/sewage/water |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Metal |
| Architect: | Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Co. |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. The River Falls Water Tower stands on a knoll within a residential district, south of the city center. The all-metal tower rises to approximately 130 feet in height. The torospherical tank rests on six tubular metal posts with a central shaft. The posts are grounded on concrete pads and have three levels of steel cross-bracing. An access ladder is located on the easternmost post and a catwalk with guardrail extends the circumference of the tank. A plaque at the base of the central shaft indicates it was manufactured by the Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Company in 1959, has a capacity of 300,000 gallons and is 130 feet to the upper capacity level. Additional structures are modern utility equipment shelters. On July 6, 1959, the River Falls City Council agreed to secure clearance from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and to advertise bids for a new city water tower. This would be the city#25;s first water tower, and would supplement a mound reservoir system already in place. A Special Meeting of the City Council was convened on August 27, 1959 for the purpose of awarding contracts for the water tower and a sewage lift pump. The Council voted to accept the bid of the Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Company to the original specifications at a cost of $52,900.00. In an October 5, 1959 City Council meeting, the construction of the water tower foundation was awarded to Acton Construction Co. of St. Paul, Minnesota for $5,584.00. City records indicate that the structure was constructed in 1960; however this may be the date that the tank was put into operation. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Plaque. City of River Falls City Council Proceedings, 6 July 1959. City of River Falls City Council Proceedings, 27 August 1959. City of River Falls City Council Proceedings, 5 October 1959. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |