Thirty-seven years ago, the Village Board determined that the town needed additional water storage. But, where should it be built … and in what form?
Garden Market Water Tower – 2013
While the image of our historic downtown water tower appears on the village’s trucks, website, and welcome signs, in 1976 the Western Springs village board had another water tower on its mind.
Back in the 1890s, the original tower had been the village’s only water storage facility, holding less than 100,000 gallons. To supplement this, the village eventually added reservoirs at its water treatment plant, which held another 300,000 gallons. As the town’s population boomed in the 1950s, a million-gallon water tower was built in Spring Rock Park. But, with continued growth and the annexation of Ridgewood, water pressure was becoming a big concern, especially on hot summer days when usage could often top 3.5 million gallons.
Possible water storage sites – 1976
In July 1976, the village announced seven possible locations for a new water storage facility, most of which were in park areas.
As expected, each location had critics who felt it shouldn’t go in their back yards. And, while the village evaluated an alternative underground storage facility, the construction and operating cost would have been considerably higher. More importantly, such a reservoir would not have the advantage of natural gravity, meaning that it would be dependent on electrically powered pumps to continually maintain pressure.
Tower (center) & driving course (bottom)
In August 1976, the village board announced that it would accept bids for a new tower or standpipe capable of holding two million gallons of water. It would be 100 to 110 feet high and 60 feet in diameter. And, it would be located at 48th and Clausen, between the Lyons Township South Campus and the Garden Market shopping center. The tower would cost an estimated $500,000.
The following month, the Lyons Township High School superintendent, Dr. Donald Reber, announced the school’s opposition to the tower. This was based on a belief that the tower would become an “attractive nuisance” and, as such, a student safety concern. High school administrators also complained that the tower would encroach 12 feet into its driver education training area.
Another opposition group, calling itself the Concerned Citizens of Western Springs, filed a petition containing 328 signatures. It argued that the tower was too high and that students might climb the tower at great risk to their lives. The petition also noted that the tower would adversely affect the value of nearby property, be an eyesore, and “… detract from the beauty of South Campus”.
Fanciful tower with “windows”
Tower under construction – 1977
In response, the board noted that the tower would provide the school campus, as well as that entire area of the village, with badly needed water pressure in the event of a fire. In addition, there would be no exterior ladder on the tower that could be ascended by students. And, the addition of vertical fluted panels would enhance the structure’s appearance.
While, the project was approved, several frustrated opponents nominated the tower for an “Onion” award given each year by the American Institute of Architects. And, one fanciful artist even painted on “windows” to give the proposed tower a residential look.
President Art Jens (left) accepts Award
In April 1977, the village awarded a contract to the low bidder in the amount of $402,239. And, construction progressed rapidly thereafter.
Completed in 1978, the new water tower subsequently won an award as the “Steel Tank of the Year” presented by the Steel Plate Fabricators Association.
While originally painted a light earth tone color, the Tower was due for a normal paint job in the 1990s. At that time, the Village Board decided that the color should be changed to a light blue, which it remains today.