National Register of Historic Places

Havana Water Tower

Havana, Mason County, Illinois
Listed
April 21, 1993
Type
Structure
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
93000325

About this property

The Havana Water Tower is a historic water tower which stands in Havana, Illinois. Built in 1889 and designed by St. Louis architect F. William Raider, it holds 50,000 gallons and was the town's only water supply until 1962. It is the fourth-oldest water tower in Illinois. F.W. Raider designed the structure in a lighthouse style. The brick water tower is approximately 86 feet (26 m) tall on an octagonal base. The soft brick may have been manufactured locally. The 50,000 gallon sits on a platform at an elevation of 50 feet. The top of the tank was open until the 1950s, when a flat, silver top was added. The flat roof was later replaced with a conical style based on the original blueprints. It was designated an American Water Landmark by the American Water Works Association in 1982 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. The tank was drained in 2012 due to worries about structural stability. In 2021, Landmarks Illinois listed the water tower as one of the most endangered historic landmarks. The organization also awarded a $2,500 grant that was used to repair retaining walls, which were decorated with a mural by Green Valley artist Luke Kinzler. Media related to Havana Water Tower at Wikimedia Commons

Location

Havana, Mason County, Illinois
40.30061, -90.05881

Categories

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Conflict & War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Nearby Historic Sites

Havana Public Library
Industrial
0.2 mi
Ogden-Fettie Site
Listed
4.2 mi
Dickson Mounds
Pre Contact
4.3 mi
East Waterford School
Early Republic
4.5 mi
Duncan Mills Bridge
Industrial
7.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Havana Water Tower listed on the National Register?

Havana Water Tower was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 21, 1993.

What type of historic resource is Havana Water Tower?

Havana Water Tower is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Havana Water Tower?

The period of significance for Havana Water Tower is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Havana Water Tower?

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