For nearly 100 years the Wetaskiwin water tower has stood proudly
above the community, 70 kilometres south of Edmonton. The 42
metre-high structure was built in 1909 and has watched Wetaskiwin
grow from a tiny farming settlement alongside the Canadian Pacific
Railway into a modern little city of more than 11,000 residents.
The tower was constructed by the Ontario Wind Engine and Pump
Company, the firm that made many of the water towers in Canada in
the early years of the 20th century.
Like the Ford Model Ts of the time, the tower came in black. Its
leg supports and tank were constructed of steel, while a wooden
enclosure on the outside of the tank acted as an insulator to keep
the cold winter winds from freezing the 100,000 gallons (454,000
litres) of water inside. That amount of water is enough to nearly
fill one of Edmontons indoor swimming pools.
Over the years, the color has gone from black to white and more
recently was dressed up with some colour and a WETASKIWIN
designation, drawn by students who won a local competition. What
hasnt changed for nearly a century is its basic function, which is
to supply water to houses and businesses. Its 136-foot height gives
it the enormous power of gravity and the tower acts as a giant
pressure relief valve, should there be a sudden surge in water
pressure. It protects the system against damage.
Driving towards Wetaskiwin from any direction, the 10-storey
tower is the first visible sign of the settlement. Wetaskiwins next
highest structures are just three stories. Like the prairie grain
elevators, water towers have long been the signature landmarks of
their communities but most of them have also vanished.
The water tower dates back to 1906 and is the oldest functioning
water tower in Canada. In 2005, a major renovation of the water
tower was completed, ensuring this historic landmark of Wetaskiwin
will stand proudly for decades to come.
A very huge thank you goes to geonana for relocating her
Mccormick Dear (GCW0M8) cache to the other side of the road,
allowing us to place our cache here. Be sure to check that one out
as well.
