The
Century Club
STEEL TANK INSTITUTE /
STEEL PLATE FABRICATORS
ASSOCIATION
The Century Club
Steel water tanks earning the STI/SPFA Century Club honor have been
in use continuously for at least 100 years. Water tanks are some of the
most identifiable structures across the United States, and we feel it is
important to honor these tanks not only for their extraordinary service
life, but also for the role they play in ensuring the safety of our water
supplies.
The Steel Tank Institute / Steel Plate Fabricators Association salutes
these historic tanks that have stood the test of time. This booklet offers
a glimpse of the tanks, and some key historical facts about their
century of service.
Kevin Gallagher
Chairman
Field Erected Tank Section
The Century Club
1886
1886 Easton, Maryland
When the standpipe was being
built, townspeople would climb
the 100’ 2” tower to enjoy the
view from the top.
Easton, Maryland
Easton Utilities Commission
84,000 Gallons
1886
Easton, Maryland
1888 Jefferson City,
Missouri
The initial cost of the 300,000gallon tank’s steel structure
was $9,650; the concrete
foundation and supporting wall
were built for an additional
$3,500.
1888
Franklin, Massachusetts
Town of Franklin
424,102 Gallons
Jefferson City, Missouri
United Water Missouri
300,000 Gallons
1888
Jefferson City, Missouri
1889 Havana, Illinois
The tank was designed in 1889
and is still in use today. In
1982, the American Water
Works Association honored the
tower with the international
AWWA landmark award.
1889
Havana, Illinois
City of Havana
50,000 Gallons
Whitewater, Wisconsin
City of Whitewater
170,000 Gallons
1889 Whitewater, Wisconsin
The elevated steel tank tower is
riveted construction on a
masonry base.
1889
Havana, Illinois
1890 Ypsilanti, Michigan
To protect themselves from
injury, local day laborers built
three stone crosses – one over
the outside west door and two
inside the water tower – during
construction. There were no
fatal accidents as the water
tower was built.
1890
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Ypsilanti Community Utilities
Authority
250,000 Gallons
1892
Danville, Indiana
Danville Water Company
85,000 Gallons
1890
Ypsilanti, Michigan
1892 Danville, Indiana
This tank was in the direct path
of a tornado in 1946. Cathodic
protection was added in 1946
and is still used today. The
historic tank was repainted
inside and out in 2006. This
tank served as the primary tank
until 1960 when Danville built a
1 MG Steel Tank. Both are still
in use. After the standpipe and
waterworks began operations,
the community’s first
residential water rates were
established - $3 per year
payable on the first day of
January, April, July and
October.
1893
Sea Cliff, New York
Sea Cliff Water Company
17,500 Gallons
Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville Utilities Board
237,000 Gallons
1892
Danville, Indiana
1893 Sea Cliff, New York
This tank is being replaced [in
the next year or two] after 114
years of continuous service.
The full contract price for the
standpipe was $6,849. The
water company spent $500 in
1935 to add a roof to the 20-foot
diameter tank.
1894 West Lafayette,
Indiana
The tank has served the
community well. The
designers of the water system
made intelligent use of the land
features, and this tank was
located based on the ground
elevation. To this day, this
ground-level tank provides
proper pressure to downhill
customers.
1894
West Lafayette, Indiana
Indiana American Water
330,000 Gallons
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
City of Sault Ste. Marie
374,000 Gallons
Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville Utilities Board
237,000 Gallons
1894
West Lafayette, Indiana
1895
Calumet, Michigan
Michigan-American Water Co.
500,000 Gallons
1894
Knoxville, Tennessee
1896 Somersworth,
New Hampshire
Steel plate thickness ranged
from 1/4 inch on the top ring to
5/8 inch on the bottom. The
town newsletter is called “The
Water Tank.”
1896
Somersworth,
New Hampshire
Somersworth Water Works
902,000 Gallons
1896
Somersworth,
New Hampshire
1897 Scranton, Iowa
In 1907, the Scranton water
tower caught fire. During a
particularly severe cold spell,
the town’s water mains had
frozen. Local leaders decided
to build a fire underneath the
tower to melt the ice.
However, the fire raged
temporarily out of control,
which led to injuries for three
men who volunteered to fight
the blaze. The fire was doused
before significant damage
could be done to the tower.
1897
Scranton, Iowa
City of Scranton
48,000 Gallons
Bangor, Maine
Bangor Water District
1,750,000 Gallons
1897
Scranton, Iowa
Delphos, Ohio
City of Delphos
300,000 Gallons
1897
Bangor, Maine
1901
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood Water
440,600 Gallons
1901
Ridgewood, New Jersey
1897 Bangor, Maine
The Thomas Hill Standpipe is
on the national register of
historic places. It is also
referred to as the crown of the
queen city. The steel tank is
open on top with a wooden
structure that both surrounds
the tank and goes over the top.
1897 Delphos, Ohio
The city has always used a
ground water system, although
they are currently transitioning
to a surface system.
1901 Ridgewood,
New Jersey
The tank is referred to as
Valley View Tank #1. It has 30’
side water depth and 50’
diameter. Steel has been a
viable construction material for
our water storage tanks
throughout our history. It has
provided both flexibility and
longevity.
1905
Chico, California
California Water Service
Company
100,000 Gallons
1905
Chico, California
1905 Aberdeen, Mississippi
Old but serving proudly! The
tower is schedule to be
repainted in 2007.
1905
Aberdeen, Mississippi
City of Aberdeen, Water
Department
100,000 Gallons
1905
Aberdeen, Mississippi
1905 Raymond, Mississippi
This tank is a riveted steel
elevated tank with a
hemispherical bottom and
latticed supports. The mayor
considers the town lucky to
have a great water tank, as
evidenced by the 100th
birthday party held for the
tank, complete with a giant
birthday cake.
1905
Raymond, Mississippi
City of Raymond
30,000 Gallons
1905
Raymond, Mississippi
STEEL TANK INSTITUTE /
STEEL PLATE FABRICATORS ASSOCIATION
570 Oakwood Road
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
847-438-8265
[email protected]
http://www.steeltank.com/Awards/CenturyClub/CurrentCenturyClubMembers/tabid/92/Default.aspx