An 1800s water tower that once served Beloit with drinking water and fire protection was eventually abandoned, in favor of a better structure. The ruins of the tower now anchor a city park and offer a glimpse into a bit of early engineering that helped Beloit grow and protected it from the dangers of fire. It’s a beautiful destination for a stroll – both to see the tower’s fine masonry work and take in beautiful vistas of the city.
Here’s why the Beloit water tower is the perfect destination for a scenic hike.
Before the tower was built, when a fire struck the city, people fighting the fire had to pump water from the Rock River or get water from private wells. It wasn’t an effective system and several businesses and two churches went up in flames.
In 1885, a group of local businessmen financed a public waterworks project. To complete the project an octagon-shaped tower was built on a high point in the city, just north of Beloit College.
The city opted to switch to a more modern metal tank in 1935 and abandon the old tower. Originally, the city planned to demolish the limestone tower. However, it was built so well, it would have been a huge job. The city decided to leave it where it was.
It’s still there today, and it's one of the city’s oldest landmarks. Benches offer nice views of the city. If you’re up for a longer stroll, there are trails nearby along the Rock River.
The adjacent Water Works Pump House has been restored and it currently houses the City of Beloit Parks and Leisure Services offices and Friends of Riverfront offices. Visitors are welcome to stop in.
While the tower was abandoned, it’s now recognized for its significance to the city. In 1983 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. For some more interesting ruins, head to the eerie sight in this county park.
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