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 Easton, Maryland Easton Utilities Commission 84,000 Gallons 1886 Easton, Maryland When the standpipe was being built, townspeople would climb the 100 2 tower to enjoy the view from the top. 1886 Easton, Maryland 1888 Franklin, Massachusetts Town of Franklin 424,102 Gallons Jefferson City, Missouri United Water Missouri 300,000 Gallons 1888 Jefferson City, Missouri The initial cost of the 300,000- gallon tank s steel structure was $9,650; the concrete foundation and supporting wall were built for an additional $3,500. 1888 Jefferson City, Missouri 1889 Havana, Illinois City of Havana 50,000 Gallons Whitewater, Wisconsin City of Whitewater 170,000 Gallons 1889 Havana, Illinois 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 Whitewater, Wisconsin The elevated steel tank tower is riveted construction on a masonry base.
1890 Ypsilanti, Michigan Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority 250,000 Gallons 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. 1892 Danville, Indiana Danville Water Company 85,000 Gallons 1893 Sea Cliff, New York Sea Cliff Water Company 17,500 Gallons Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville Utilities Board 237,000 Gallons 1890 Ypsilanti, Michigan 1892 Danville, Indiana 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 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 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 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. 1895 Calumet, Michigan Michigan-American Water Co. 500,000 Gallons 1894 Knoxville, Tennessee 1896 Somersworth, New Hampshire Somersworth Water Works 902,000 Gallons 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
1897 Scranton, Iowa City of Scranton 48,000 Gallons Bangor, Maine Bangor Water District 1,750,000 Gallons Delphos, Ohio City of Delphos 300,000 Gallons 1897 Scranton, Iowa 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 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. 1901 Ridgewood, New Jersey Ridgewood Water 440,600 Gallons 1897 Bangor, Maine 1901 Ridgewood, New Jersey 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.
Chico, California California Water Service Company 100,000 Gallons Chico, California Aberdeen, Mississippi City of Aberdeen, Water Department 100,000 Gallons Aberdeen, Mississippi Aberdeen, Mississippi Old but serving proudly! The tower is schedule to be repainted in 2007. Raymond, Mississippi City of Raymond 30,000 Gallons Raymond, Mississippi 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 100 th birthday party held for the tank, complete with a giant birthday cake.
STEEL TANK INSTITUTE / STEEL PLATE FABRICATORS ASSOCIATION 570 Oakwood Road Lake Zurich, IL 60047 847-438-8265 info@steeltank.com http://www.steeltank.com/awards/centuryclub/currentcenturyclubmembers/tabid/92/default.aspx