The North Point Water Tower stands on the shore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. It was completed in 1873. It was designed by architect Charles A. Gombert and is similar in design to the Chicago Water Tower, but the North Point Tower is four years younger and 21 feet taller, at 175 feet. It was constructed of limestone quarried from the property that is now the home of Miller Park and the Milwaukee Brewers. The Victorian Gothic-style tower is a decorative cover that prevents freezing of the open 4' x 135' iron standpipe within that absorbed pulsations of water from steam powered water pumps. So, technically it is not a water tower at all - rather a giant water hammer arrestor. It was taken out of service in 1963, when the steam powered pumps were replaced with electric pumps.
I had legal access. Good effing luck getting in without it. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to climb the 213 steps to the top. Built to 19th century specs, it was designed for maintenance only without safety in mind. Tumbling under the railing actually would not be too terribly difficult, and the city's insurance policy does not allow for climbing by the likes of me. It is climbed for annual inspection, but I am told that entails harnesses and rigging.
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