Old Fresno Water Tower - Fresno, California
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member DougK
N 36° 44.357 W 119° 47.238
11S E 251124 N 4069573
The old Fresno Water Tower has long been an outstanding recognizable feature of Fresno, California. It is Fresno's most distinctive and enduring architectural symbol.
Waymark Code: WM730K
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 08/25/2009
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member silverquill
Views: 9

From a plaque on the side of the Fresno Water Tower:

"Designed by Architect George S. Mayer of Chicago, Illinois, it was completed in November 1894, replacing two wooden tanks erected on this site in 1887. The tower stands 100 feet high with a tank capacity of 250,000 gallons. This facility modeled after the Chicago Water Tower of 1867, was designed to house the Fresno City Library on the 2nd and 3rd levels. The brick walls are double construction, from one to two feet thick, with a space of three feet between them."

(I note that the plaque has Mayer's middle initial as "S", and his biography cites his middle name as Washington!)

Another plaque on the side of the Water Tower reads:

GEORGE M. BOWMAN
1891-1984

This water tower is dedicated to George M. Bowman in recognition for thirty-six years of dedicated service to the city of Fresno and for his accomplishments as a naval officer. He was the city's first chief engineer and became general manager of the Water Department. He designed innovative electrical systems for street lighting, several well known public buildings and Chandler Air Field. Attaining the rank of Rear Admiral in the Navy, his career was distinguished by courage, leadership and diplomacy. It earned him the Silver Star, one of the nation's highest medals for heroism awarded by the President of the United States. In conspicuous gallantry aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga carrier he restored power to the ship, saving the crew and vessel. The Chinese government decorated him with the Cravate Blue of the Order for Meritorious Participation in the Sino-American Cooperative Organization. For his outstanding contributions to the Armed Forces, the Veterans and Reservists, he received the Governor Earl Warren Trophy. We remember a man of valor who worked toward progress, world peace, understanding and the well-being of others.

Street address:
2444 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA USA
93721


County / Borough / Parish: Fresno

Year listed: 1971

Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering

Periods of significance: 1875-1899

Historic function: 1875-1899

Current function: Government - Visitor Center

Privately owned?: no

Primary Web Site: [Web Link]

Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]

Season start / Season finish: Not listed

Hours of operation: Not listed

Secondary Website 2: Not listed

National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.
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