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Old Water Tower in Florence, Alabama


So, we have lived in Florence since 1986 and I didn't see this old water tower until last week.  Shame on me.
 
It is located on Seymore Street, in a residential neighborhood in Florence.


Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this tower of native stone was completed in 1890 as the foundation for a wrought- iron tank with a capacity of 280,000 gallons of water. It is 70 feet high and is located on the highest elevation in the city. Water was pumped here from Cypress Creek. It was constructed during the Industrial Boom at which time the population of Florence increased from approximately 2,000 in 1887 to over 6,000 in 1889. It was replaced by the adjoining standpipe in 1935.  (from historical marker on site.)

 
I'm sure there was lots of planning, lots of discussion about funding, and lots of joy when this water tower was completed.  Not one person who was there to celebrate its completion is alive today, but the water tower is still standing strong, a beautiful example of a time when things were built to last.
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  1. pescarrJuly 6, 2022 at 6:34 PM

    Florence needs to give some love to this Historic structure, grape vines and English ivy are growing up the side of the tower, vines will grow into mortar and eventually destroy the building!

    ReplyDelete

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