“Location is important”. That’s what the Riverside Improvement Company knew when they decided to erect the Riverdale Water Tower. The Riverdale Water Tower stands as a proud symbol of Riverside. It is a testament to innovative design and community planning.
Let’s step back to 1869. The Riverside Improvement Company wanted to attract buyers. They were developing land along the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. To achieve their goal, they hired William LeBaron Jenney. He was a young military engineer whom Olmsted had met during the Civil War. Jenney designed the Riverdale Water Tower.
The Riverdale Water Tower was more than just a water source. It was a beautifully designed advertisement. It caught the eye of train passengers. It showed them that something special was growing here near the Des Plaines River.
The Riverdale Water Tower also served a practical purpose. It had an observation platform. From there, potential buyers could see how their new house could be situated. They could even see the City of Chicago in the distance.
Before the Riverdale Water Tower, the community relied on a wooden tank. Water was piped from a well. Residents carried water to their homes. The Riverside Improvement Company wanted better. They built the Riverdale Water Tower to ensure an abundant water supply.
William LeBaron Jenney designed the Riverdale Water Tower in a Swiss Gothic style. This style was also used for the Riverside Hotel. It was even used for many of the original homes. Jenney also oversaw the construction. He supervised the Olmsted and Vaux plan for Riverside.
The Riverdale Water Tower had a sloping stone base. It was clad in red and cream brick. A wooden Swiss Gothic design topped it off. A cone-shaped slate roof and lightning rod finished the look. The Riverdale Water Tower had an iron observation balcony. It was nearly 70 feet high. Residents loved to view downtown Chicago from there.
An engine room monitored steam pumps. These pumps drew water from a 1,378-foot well. Water rates were based on house size. The Riverside Hotel paid $10 per month. The village upgraded the waterworks over the years.
Tragedy struck on New Year’s Day in 1913. A fire destroyed the Riverdale Water Tower’s wooden tank. The pump house and upper stories also burned. The railroad night operator described the flames. He likened them to a candle.
After the fire, the village used bottled water. They brought in tank wagons. They even connected to Berwyn’s water system. By fall 1913, architect William Mann designed a rebuilt tower. It was taller and had an iron tank. The new pump house had the first fully automated electric switchboard in the United States.
Through the years, the Riverdale Water Tower complex has had different uses. The Chicago Telephone Company rented space. The Riverside Historical Society and Recreation Office moved in later. In 2005, a major project restored the Riverdale Water Tower to its 1913 appearance. The work cost $1.37 million. It earned a Design Excellence Award.
The Riverdale Water Tower stands at the center of the village. It has become the symbol of Riverside. It is used as the village logo. Its image appears on merchandise. Although the Riverdale Water Tower has been dry for nearly 20 years, it remains a landmark. It is a source of community pride.