National Register of Historic Places

Reading Standpipe

Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Listed
February 1, 1985
Type
Structure
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
85000549

About this property

The Reading Standpipe was a historic water tower atop a hill near the corner of Auburn and Beacon Streets in Reading, Massachusetts. The 138-foot (42 m) tower was built in 1890-91 as part of Reading's first water supply system and was for many years a significant community landmark. The tower was built of steel and wrought iron in a style reminiscent of medieval fortifications. The tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It was demolished in April 1999, leaving only its companion modern tower (erected in 1953), which itself was subsequently demolished and replaced with a communications tower.

Location

Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
42.53118, -71.10545

Categories

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTARCHITECTURE
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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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
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Nearby Historic Sites

Batchelder, Alden, House
Industrial
0.2 mi
Bancroft, Joseph, House
Industrial
0.3 mi
Sanborn, Rev. Peter, House
Industrial
0.3 mi
Common Historic District
Listed
0.3 mi
Pearl Street School
Industrial
0.4 mi

Nearby Battles

King Philip's War – Raid on Woburn MA 1676
1676Colonial
3.9 mi
Battle of Lancaster (King Philip's War)
1676Colonial
6.4 mi
Raid on Menotomy (Arlington)
1775Revolutionary War
8.4 mi
Battle of Menotomy
1775Revolutionary War
8.4 mi
Skirmish at Menotomy (Arlington)
1775Revolutionary War
8.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Reading Standpipe listed on the National Register?

Reading Standpipe was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 1, 1985.

What type of historic resource is Reading Standpipe?

Reading Standpipe is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Reading Standpipe?

The period of significance for Reading Standpipe is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Reading Standpipe?

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