E. North Ave. between N. Lake Dr. and N. Terrace Ave. | National or State Registers Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

National or State Registers Record

E. North Ave. between N. Lake Dr. and N. Terrace Ave.

National or State Register of Historic Places
E. North Ave. between N. Lake Dr. and N. Terrace Ave. | National or State Registers Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:North Point Water Tower
Reference Number:73000088
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):E. North Ave. between N. Lake Dr. and N. Terrace Ave.
County:Milwaukee
City/Village:Milwaukee
Township:
SUMMARY
North Point Water Tower
E. North Avenue between N. Lake Drive and N. Terrace Drive, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
Architect: Charles A. Gombert
Date of Construction: 1873-1874

In its early years, Milwaukee did not have a city-wide water system. Instead, residents obtained their water from wells, cisterns, or the rivers. After years of delays, in 1872 to 1875, Milwaukee constructed its first water works buildings to better provide water to city residents. These included a water intake crib in Lake Michigan, a pumping station, a water tower on top of the bluff near the pumping station, and a reservoir.

Built in 1873-1874, the North Point Water Tower does not hold a large quantity of water, as water towers typically do today. Instead, the North Point Water Tower houses a stand pipe. The pumps used at the North Point Pumping Station operated with a piston-like motion. This created surges in the water pressure and therefore an inconsistent flow in the city's water mains. The standpipe inside the water tower served as a buffer between the pumping station and the water mains, eliminating the water pressure surges before the water entered the mains.

Charles A. Gombert designed the Victorian Gothic style North Point Water Tower. Built of cream-colored local limestone, its roof and spire are galvanized iron and reach a height of 175 feet. The iron standpipe inside of the water tower measures four feet in diameter and is 120 feet tall. The water tower cost just over $50,000 to build.

In 1968, the North Point Water Tower was selected as a Milwaukee Landmark, and in 1969, was designated as a landmark of the American Water Works. The North Point Water Tower is not open to the public.

PROPERTY FEATURES
Period of Significance:1850-1874
Area of Significance:Architecture
Area of Significance:Engineering
Applicable Criteria:Architecture/Engineering
Historic Use:Government: Public Works
Architectural Style:Gothic
Resource Type:Structure
DESIGNATIONS
Historic Status:Listed in the National Register
Historic Status:Listed in the State Register
National Register Listing Date:02/23/1973
State Register Listing Date:01/01/1989
NUMBER OF RESOURCES WITHIN PROPERTY
Number of Contributing Buildings:0
Number of Contributing Sites:0
Number of Contributing Structures:1
Number of Contributing Objects:0
Number of Non-Contributing Sites:0
Number of Non-Contributing Structures:1
Number of Non-Contributing Objects:0
RECORD LOCATION
National Register and State Register of Historic Places, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

How to Cite

For the purposes of a bibliography entry or footnote, follow this model:

National Register of Historic Places Citation
National Register of Historic Places, "Historic Name", "Town", "County", "State", "Reference Number".

Have Questions?

If you didn't find the National Register listing you were looking for or have other questions about the National Register, please email us and we can help: