By Chris Spangler
Despite hazy skies due to high humidity and smoke from western wildfires, the view from atop Fort Atkinson’s historic 1901 water tower last weekend was breathtaking.
That is the word from Saturday morning visitors on the South High Street landmark’s first public tour since it was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic last year.
Hoard Historical Museum and water tower volunteers Harriet Scherer and Greg Misfeldt were on hand to welcome guests and share the structure’s history.
Built in 1901 to serve as the first municipal water source, the water tower stands at the corner of South Fourth Street East and High Street.
At the turn of the 20th century, Fort Atkinson citizens wanted a municipal water source. At the time, households had their own wells for water and outhouses for waste removal, often in such close proximity that they became contaminated and heighted the risk of diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
However, the mayor did not see the need for the tower and campaigned against it. After a decade of fairly nasty debate, the citizens voted to construct the water tower in a referendum that passed by a 6-1 margin.
Built by E. Kuhnert Co. of locally and regionally produced Cream City bricks, the conical tower measures 112 feet tall with the bricks in a column rising 77 feet in the air to a 33-foot-high steel water tank. Its base has a diameter of just over 25 feet.
The water tower remained in service until 1989. In the early 1990s, the City of Fort Atkinson budgeted $30,000 to raze the tower; however, a committee of people wishing to preserve it was formed and it raised funds to do just that.
After several years of work, the tower was opened to the public and visitors were able to climb the newly installed metal steps to the top of the tower. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places on Nov. 15, 2005.
The Fort Atkinson Historical Preservation Commission, which had been very active in preserving the tower, took on the responsibilities of scheduling tours, coordinating volunteers and monitoring any maintenance needs for the tower. In July, the museum took over the commission’s duties.
The 1901 water tower remains the property of the City of Fort Atkinson. The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation will continue to maintain an account dedicated to the tower’s maintenance.
Persons may contact the foundation if interested in making a donation toward the tower’s ongoing maintenance.
In addition to Saturday’s event, the tower will be open Saturday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon. Tours are free, but donations are gratefully accepted. No reservations are required.
There are limitations to touring the water tower. It is not handicap-accessible, individuals under 48 inches are not able to climb the tower and tours may be canceled due to inclement weather. Contact the Hoard Historical Museum at (920) 563-7769 for more information.
If interested in potentially being a tour docent for the tower, contact the museum at the abovementioned number or info@hoardmuseum.org.
Located a block west of the tower, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Two photos above: Greg Misfeldt, Hoard Historical Museum water tower co-coordinator, shares the history of the interior of Fort Atkinson’s historic 1901 water tower during a public tour Saturday.
Two photos above: Visitors tour Fort Atkinson’s historic 1901 water tower Saturday. It marked the first time the tower was open to the public since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Facing north, a view from the tower shows the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The sky was hazy, but beautiful Saturday.
A northwestern view from the top of the Fort Atkinson historic 1901 water tower features the city’s downtown area, including the large structure known today as the Creamery Building.
From atop the tower, a view to the south shows the Fort Atkinson Middle School.
Chris Spangler photos.
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Thank you so much for a wonderful article! Nice job Chris Spangler! 🙂