Tuesday, January 2, 1973

Fresno Water Tower

Fresno Water Tower (1894)
2444 Fresno St, Fresno, CA

 This is the premier landmark of Fresno. It has played prominently in the travel advertising for Fresno, as well as a TV Mini-series called Fresno, staring Carol Burnett and Tim Conway.

George Washington Maher, a Chicago architect, was commissioned to design Fresno's water tower in 1891. Completed in 1894, it was in constant use until 1963, when the pumping machinery was no longer adequate. The original design called for a library on the second and third floors, but it was never installed. For several years the first floor was used as a parking meter repair facility. In 2001 the second floor was removed and the interior of the tower remodeled to become the visitors' center for the City and County of Fresno. As part of this remodeling a landscaped plaza and separate restroom building were built adjacent to the tower. The water tower today remains Fresno's most distinctive and enduring architectural symbol.

If you have never been inside the water tower, it is fascinating. The brick walls tower above you, curving inward to form a ceiling.

In 1989, the Fresno Water Tower was dedicated to George M Bowman. This was, in the words of the plaque on the tower:
This water tower is dedicated to George M. Bowman in recognition for thirty-six years of dedicated service to the city of Fresno and for his accomplishments as a naval officer. He was the city's first chief engineer and became general manager of the Water Department. He designed innovative electrical systems for street lighting, several well known public buildings and Chandler Air Field. Attaining the rank of Rear Admiral in the Navy, his career was distinguished by courage, leadership and diplomacy. It earned him the Silver Star, one of the nation's highest medals for heroism awarded by the President of the United States. In conspicuous gallantry aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga carrier he restored power to the ship, saving the crew and vessel. The Chinese government decorated him with the Cravate Blue of the Order for Meritorious Participation in the Sino-American Cooperative Organization. For his outstanding contributions to the Armed Forces, the Veterans and Reservists, he received the Governor Earl Warren Trophy. We remember a man of valor who worked toward progress, world peace, understanding and the well-being of others.

2 comments:

  1. My great-grandfather was the parking meter repairman in the water tower.

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    1. This building has been used for a lot of things. Hearing Roger Taylor talk about it has been a delight. He talked about the parking meter repair usage when he talked about the building. Thanks for the comment.

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