The Prospect Park water tower was built in 1913 by architect F.W.
Cappelen. It was originally built to be both a water tower and a
bandstand, but the local legend states that the only band that
dared the climb the circular stairs said they were too tired to
play once they reached the top. The tower was taken out of service
in 1954 and was scheduled for demolition after a lighting strike
caused severe structural damage. The local community convinced the
city council to renovate the tower in 1986. The water tower doors
are now locked except once each June for the Pratt ice cream
social, but rumor has it that the tower was closed due to too many
distraught college students committing suicide by jumping from the
top. The tower is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
To claim credit for the find, email the first 2 letters etched
above the door to mnwild11@aol.com. Please do not post the answer
online even if encrypted.
Enjoy the view of Minneapolis, especially at sunset, while you
are there. Feel free to post any pictures of the tower or the view,
but please do not post pictures that reveal the answer here.
