Overview
The Washburn Park Water Tower combines the skills of three great professionals: architect Harry Wild Jones, engineer William S. Hewitt, and sculptor John K. Daniels.
- Location: 401 Prospect Avenue
- Neighborhood: Tangletown
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Washburn Park Water Tower
Read about the history and designation of the Washburn Park Water Tower historic landmark.
Architecture
- Architectural Style: Medieval Revival
- Architect(s): Harry Wild Jones, William S. Hewitt
Use
- Historic use: Water Tower
- Current use: Storage
Construction
- Construction date: 1931-32
- Contractor: Unknown
Significance
- Area(s) of Significance: Architecture, Engineering
- Period of significance: 1931-32
- Date of local designation: 1980
- Designation: Exterior
- Date of National Register designation: 1983
Historic profile
The Washburn Park Water Tower combines the skills of three great professionals: architect Harry Wild Jones, engineer William S. Hewitt, and sculptor John K. Daniels.
The water tower was built on top of a hill in the Washburn Park area, today known as Tangletown. Many people moved to this neighborhood in the early 1900s and built houses. In fact, Harry Wild Jones designed his own house nearby.
Engineer William S. Hewitt had developed the “Hewitt System” of prestressed concrete tank construction. A concrete inner shell was poured first. The inner shell is reinforced by adjustable steel bands. Then a second layer of concrete was applied over the bands to protect them. The water tower is 110 feet tall and has a capacity of 1.35 million gallons.
Architect Harry Wild Jones designed the tower with a domed top. There are eight concrete ribs on the exterior. Each rib has two sculptures, done by John K. Daniels. Near the base, there are 18-foot-tall figures that represent health. They look like medieval knights. Near the base of the dome, there are eight-foot-tall eagles. Daniels also designed the milling figures on the Washburn Flour Mills Utility Building.
The water tower provided water pressure to the neighborhood until the 1990s. It is an artistic design for a utilitarian function.
Credits
Photo credits
- 1951 photo: Ver Keljik, courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
- 2006 photo: Minneapolis Community Planning & Economic Development
Work cited
- “Heritage Preservation Designation Study: Washburn Park Water Tower,” May 1980
- Camille Kudzia, "National Register of Historic Places Inventory–Nomination Form: Washburn Park Water Tower," August 1981
Contact us
Historic Preservation
Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED)
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415