Water Works I

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Water Works I,
Life Span: 1850-1868
Location: Lake shore, between Chicago Avenue and Pearson street
Architect: Unknown

D. B. Cooke & Co.’s City Directory for the Year 1859-60
Chicago Water Works, Lake shore, bet. Chicago av. and Pearson

Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863-64
Chicago Water Works, bet. Chicago av. and Pearson, next to the lake.

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1866
Chicago Water Works, D. C. Cregier, chief engineer. Pine ne. cor. Chicago av
Chicago Water Works Reservoir, sw. cor. Chicago av. and Sedgwick

Norris’ 1846 Chicago Directory

A hydraulic company, to supply the City with water from the Lake, has been in operation several years; the present year, aqueducts, conveying water from the rivers, throughout the most compact part of the City, and designed to furnish water in cases of fire, are being constructed.

Chicago Tribune, June 13, 1849

The water in the Hydraulic failed yesterday. The water is said to be very impure, so it was no great deprivation, after all.

Chicago Tribune, December 28, 1850

HYDRAULIC COMPANY.– With an unlimited quantity of the purest water upon the continent of America, in the closest possible proximity, our city is nevertheless but poorly supplied with facilities for an abundant and cheap supply of the article. A part of the south side and a small portion of the west side are supplied with lake water by the Hydraulic company. The whole of the north side and large districte of both the others are under the necessity of looking to other sources of supply. A portion of the people thus situated have walls upon their premises, from which they obtain the greatest abundance of water, but which has been found by chemical analysis to hold in solution a large quantity of deleterious matter. Others are supplied by the watermen, of whom there are a number in the city that devote their whole time to the business. They procure their water from the lake. A fourth class—and a very large one too—who are too poor to procure this necessary of life by either of the above means, take it from the river, the common receptacle for all the filth of the city. The consequences need rot be stated here.

The Hydraulic company during the year just closing have laid down one mile of pipe, mostly on the west side. This gives them an aggregate of 9½ miles of pipe and increases the number of hydrants to 1,000. Of this number 800 are used by families—the remainder by stores, public houses, livery stables, etc. It will thus be seen that of a population of nearly 30,000, not over a fifth are supplied with water by this company.

We are pleased to learn that among the amendments which it is hoped the ensuing Legislature will grant to our city charter, is one having reference to the establishment of Hydraulic Works by the city itself. Among the many other subjects which address them. selves to the earnest attention of all who take a laudable interest in the welfare and prosperity of our beautiful city, none are fortified by so many considerations that would be likely to move a man, as that of the cheap and abundant supply of pure water to the entire population.

Chicago Tribune, April 4, 1853

The Water Works.—In the erection and future superintendance of these important works the city is very fortunate in securing the services of Mr. McCammon, a gentleman highly esteemed in his native city, Albany, N. Y., and who has for some years had charge of the Water Works of that place. Mr. McCammon has already come to our, city, and will immediately take up his residence here.

The new works are now commencing with vigor. The foundation of the engine house is already laid, and the yards are in process of planking. The engine of 250 horse power, 42 inch cylinder, and 10 feet stroke, is now ready at the Morgan Werks, N. Y., and will be brought on as soon as the canal is opened. Another tender engine, high pressure, of 80 horse power, a resort in case the larger one meets with any accident, is being built by H. Moses & Co., of this city. The pipes are also made, and lie, 1400 tons of them, ready fur transportation, on the grounds of the factory of Chollar, Sage & Dunham, West Troy, N. Y.

The prospects are now fair for the completion of the works by October next. The most difficult part of the work will be the laying of the inlet pipe. This is of wood, two feet in diameter and 600 feet in length to convey the water from a point at this distance from the shore. A ditch or trough mast be dredged, in which to bury it, and then it must be sunk the whole length at once, which will be no small operation if the weather be most favorable. But the exposures to failure are very great. If a storm or a strong wind comes up during the dredging operation, the trough will be filled up, and must be made over. If the trough be completed and the pipe floated over it, but a wind come up before it is sunk, the pipe itself will inevitably be broken to pieces, which will prove more than a loss of time. The exposures also to the dredging machines will be great, as they might not have time to get into the harbor, in case of a storm. We are told that the risks are such that no one will contract for the job. We have no doubt, however, that the pipe will be laid, and the event will be worthy of note among our citizens. Prosperity to the Hydraulic Works.

Chicago Tribune, February 14, 1854

Water For the Million.—The residents of the different Divisions of the city will see by advertisement when and where application can be made for the introduction of water into dwellings, from the main pipes of the new Water Works.

Chicago Tribune, February 28, 1854

THE CHICAGO WATER WORKS.
In our account yesterday morning of the Fire on Saturday, we cast some strictures on the hydrants recently put up by the Board of Water Commissioners. Those complaints were the same an uttered by many persons, on the occasion of each fire last week, and an the rules adopted by the Superintendent of the Water Works, B. S. Walker, Esq., were at the time unknown to us, and many also yet be to many of our citizens, we make the following explanations for the benefit of all concerned.

The pumping at the Hydraulic Works, on the North Division, commences every morning ai 7 o’clock, (Sundays excepted) and continues until 4 in the afternoon. The water from the hydrants is allowed to run during that period, when all who are so disposed apply themselves pleasure, but not after 4 P.M., when the water from these sources is shut off. After that hour, the water in the boiler at the Works is kept sufficiently hot to generate steams and set the pumps in motion on ten minutes notice, during the entire night, on the occasion of an alarm of fire. A fireman remans on the watch all night, for that express purpose. Immediately on hearing an alarm or being notified of the existence of a fire, the engine in put, into motion, and water can then be procured in any quantity from the hydrants. No better mode can be adopted for either Division of the city, until the Reservoirs are completed, which will probably be done in a short time. This will explain why water was not procured from the hydrants by the occupants of the two dwellings that were burned last week, immediately on their discovering that their premises were in flames. The Chief Engineer and his Assistants, however, will testify that in both cases within ten minutes of the time the watchman at the Works was notified, there was an abundant supply of water from the hydrants. When under full power, the Works can supply water enough to drown all Chicago, and let no one suppose that there is to be a scarcity of water within any locality where the pipes are laid.

There have been many sneers thrown out in relation to the small stream that runs from the hydrants, many croakers saying “that is a pretty sized stream to attempt stop a fire with,” &c. For the information of all such, we will simply state that the valves are raised only to a height to allow a sufficient quantity to flow for the accommodation of the public; but if the full head was let on, the streets would be overflowed and torn up in a short time. In case of a conflagration, however, with a fall head on, the fire engines could get a supply sufficient to drown all the fires they could get a chance to play on.

We shall be glad when the Reservoirs are all completed and in full operation, but till then give the Water Commissioners and their Works all the credit they are entitled to. If any one has any further complaints to make about the Hydraulic Company, let them be suppressed till the Works are fully completed, and a chance given to test their power.

Cross-section of Chicago’s Water Supply System in 1855, featuring “Old Sally” pumping engine.

Chicago Tribune, May 4, 1858

WATER WORK’S ITEMS.—Contracts have been made for the construction of two new reservoirs this year, one to be located on the corner of Chicago avenue and Sedgwick street and the other on the corner of Morgan and Monroe streets. They will cost about $4,500 each. Messrs. Carter and Miller have the contract for the reservoir in the North Division, and Messrs. Mortimer and Loberg that in the West Division. Messrs. Reissig & Co. have the contract for the iron work of both reservoirs.

In addition to the building of the reservoirs the Commissioners will place several miles of distributing pipes, and also large number of new fire hydrants.

Chicago Tribune, December 18, 1858

The New Reservoirs.
Within the past few months we have often noticed during their progress in construction the two Reservoirs of the Chicago Water Works, now being built respectively for the North and West Divisions. They are both near completion, and as an important addition to the important public work of supplying our city with water, they deserve a little more then a passing notice.

Taking for our description that of the West Division, which we visited yesterday, it may give an idea of both, they being alike in design and finish, and indicate to our readers the importance and value of these structures. The West Reservoir stands on a block south of Monroe and east of Morgan street.

It is an edifice in exterior appearance suitable and suggestive of its purposes, being solid and compact in appearance, and giving promises of meeting the prominent requisition upon it—strength.

It is built of rock faced solid Athens stone, is octagonal in shape, with cut stone window-caps and angles. Its diameter is seventy-three feet at the base, its height forty-five feet. Near the lower entrance floor, there are windows in the sides, the doors opening from the east and west. Above these there are no breaks in the outer wall, save a single line of port-hole locking circular windows, for purposes of light and ventilation.

The supporting strength of the structure is secured by three massive walls of the most solid masonry, upon a stone foundation underlying continuously the whole edifice. These walls, at the base, are three feet thick.

The outer wall of the building within its solid stone facing is carefully laid brick work. Within this, eight feet distant rises another briek wall also three feet in thickness, and within this a wall still smaller in diameter but of equal thickness with the other two, and within this last rise the iron supply and waste pipes of the tank above. The walls are as secure as iron anchors and iron rods binding them each to the other can make them.

Thus much of the structure the only purpose of which is to sustain the tank on the roof. The roof of the building, supporting therefore the floor of the tank, is framed with radiating iron beams of the shape of the capital letter I, resting on the inner walls, serving both a supporting and a binding purpose.

The tank is of the best boiler iron, varying in thickness, that at the lower part of the tank being 5-16ths of an inch thick. The tank is seventy feet in diameter by twenty-eight feet high, and will hold half a million of gallons.

The water for this reservoir, in its course from the Water Works on the Lake Shore at the foot of Chicago Avenue, passes through a twenty-four inch main through that Avenue, extending a mile westward from the Water Works. This main is tapped at Wolcott street by a twelve inch main passing southward, crossing the river at State street and thence to Adams west of Clark street, the supply of the South Division reservoir.

At Sedgwick street the Chicago Avenue twenty-four inch main is again tapped by a fourteen inch main for the supply of the North Division reservoir there located.

At Union street in the West Division a sixteen inch main passes south through that street to Monroe street, a distance of nearly two miles, when, at a distance of almost three miles from the fountain head, it supplies the reservoir we have described. From thence a twelve inch main connects with the South Division reservoir, making a complete circuit of about four miles.

The cost of these new reservoirs will be $45,000 each. They will be valuable improvements in their respective localities, giving at all times a supply of water adequate to every emergency.

Our Water Works are in a condition that reflect the highest credit upon the managing Board. And their history from its outset will compare most creditably in respect to economy and efficiency with those of any city in the United States.

The new additions to the already large demands upon the power of supply, have already been anticipated and provided for in the superb engine and pump at the Works, which has never yet, save experimentally, been worked beyond one half its capacity.

Give us good locations for Steam Fire Engines to command all sections of the city, a Fire Alarm Telegraph to convey at once the intelligence of the breaking out of a fire, and where the aid is needed, and we have those adjuncts to the Water Works which as a whole will render disastrous conflagrations impossible.

While we accord merited praise to B. F. Walker, Esq., Superintendent of the Chicago Water Works, for general efficiency and judgment in his responsible position, we acknowledge our indebtedness to him for courtesies extended during our yesterday’s visit to the West Division Reservoir.

① Pumping Station

② North Reservoir

③ West Reservoir

④ South Reservoir

Chicago Illustrated, July, 1866

Second Baptist Church

Peter Schuttler, Esq.

Strangers and Tourists Guide to the City of Chicago, 1866

THE LAKE TUNNEL.
Among the grandest and most stupendous undertakings of modern times must be reckoned the Lake Tunnel of Chicago. It is not extravagant to say that when this great work was conceived, the whole civilized world was awed by the magnitude of the project.

For a long time previous to the year 1863, the impurity of the water supplied for drinking purposes was the chief objection to a residence in Chicago. The effect of the river, reeking with the discharge of seventy-five miles of sewerage, and the refuse of numerous packing houses, distilleries, and breweries, could often be detected in a sickening effluvia which rendered the drinking water supplied by the Water Works of Chicago unfit for the use of man. This water was pumped from the shore of the lake, three quarters of a mile north of the mouth of the river. And, horrible to relate, the winds drifted the concentrated filth from the river, along the shore of the lake, to the very mouth of the inlet pipe at the Water Works, where, in a diluted form, it was pumped up and returned to the city through its pipes and hydrants, for use in the kitchens and dining rooms of our citizens! The contamination of the lake water rapidly increased. The nuisance having reached a point where it could no longer be endured with either comfort or safety, the municipal authorities, impressed with the necessity of devising some plan for procuring pure water, gave their attention to the subject, and, after considering and rejecting numerous schemes, finally determined to construct a tunnel two miles in length under the bed of Lake Michigan. While the deleterious influences of the river are perceptible for a considerable distance along the lake shore either way from its mouth, the water of the lake at a distance of one mile from the shore, is always free from impurity. Its purity increases until at the distance of two miles the water is as pure and clear as the purest and clearest spring water in the world. The tunnel project was received with derision, both by numerous citizens and many eminent scientific gentlemen, whose opinions were solicited on the subject. But, with a full realization of the magnitude of the undertaking, the possibility of failure, and the condemnation which would be theirs in case of such failure, the city authorities, at the head of whom was Hon. Francis C. Sherman, then Mayor of the city, and always one of Chicago’s wealthiest and most prominent citizens, adopted the project.

Pumping Station: Replaced by new https://chicagology.com/prefire/prefire078/Pumping Station in 1868.
North Side Reservoir: Destroyed in 1871 Fire.
South Side Reservoir: City Hall V built around Tank. Became Reading Room, then replaced by the Rookery Building.
West Side Reservoir: Replaced with West Division High School in 1877.

The fifth City Hall, which was built around the reservoir on the SE corner of Adams and LaSalle streets. The first public reading room was housed in the water tank.

History of Chicago, A. T. Andreas, 1885

Water Works.—The works were commenced in the summer of 1852, and were situated near the lake, at the foot of Chicago Avenue. The pump-well was built, and a portion of the thirty-inch inlet pipe was laid towards the lake, and the foundations of the building and tower were put in, which closed the work for the season. During the spring and summer of 1853 the buildings and tower were finished, and several attempts made to put in place the thirty-inch wooden inlet pipe, which was designed to extend six hundred feet into the lake, and terminate in a crib of timber. The efforts to complete this were unsuccessful. The boisterous condition of the lake rendered it difficult to secure the crib in place, so the work was abandoned and the water received in a pipe, close to the shore. During the fall of 1853 the standpipe was put up, and the condensing and non-condens-ing engines were erected. The former was started December 16, 1853, and the supply of water for the city commenced in February, 1854 The original pump-well was rectangular, twenty by thirty feet, and twenty-five feet deep from floor of engine-house to bottom. The walls were of stone, sir to seven feet thick. Upon those walls the engines were located; the buildings were of brick, forty by fifty feet in the clear, and two wings for boiler-rooms, each thirty and one-half by forty and one half feet in the clear. The water tower was square, composed of brick fourteen feet at the base, eleven feet at the top and one hundred and thirty-six feet high. The interior was divided by a wall, one part designed for a smoke chimney, the other for the iron stand-pipe. The foundation rested upon a bed of sand, some six feet below the surface, and at one time the tower leaned fourteen inches from a vertical line. It was, however, by an ingenious method made plumb, and remained so until its demolition. The original pumping-machine consisted of a vertical beam engine, located on the north side of the building, having a steam cylinder of forty-four inches diameter and a stroke of nine feet, with two single-action pumps of thirty-four inches in diameter and five and one-half feet stroke. This engine was in use sixteen years, and continued through 1860. It was built at the Morgan Iron Works, New York, as were also the engines erected in 1857 and in 1867. The non-condensing engine, erected in 1853, was horizontal. It was located on the south side of the main building, having a steam cylinder of eighteen inches, and six feet stroke, with one double-acting pump of the same dimensions. This engine was built by H. Moses, of Chicago. It was removed in the latter part of 1856 and a larger one substituted.

During the first four months water was supplied but nine hours per day, and none on Sunday except in case of fire; after that the supply was continued regularly throughout the twenty-four hours. At this time there were but few water-takers, and having no reservoir, the water was allowed to run to waste through the fire-hydrants, in order to keep the small engine running. In the early part of 1854 the twelve-inch river pipe at State Street was broken by an anchor dragging from a vessel. This accident required the supply for the West Division to be forced through an eight-inch pipe across the river at Kinzie; and thence by a twelve-inch pipe across the river at Adams Street for the South Division. As a temporary resort a large rubber pipe, manufactured at Boston, was procured. On its arrival its strength was found inadequate to the pressure. A new wrought iron pipe, thirty inches in diameter was subsequently put down at State Street and was in use in 1869. This new main was manufactured by Charles Ressig, of Chicago, at a cost of $3,561, and was laid by S. S. Durtee, at an additional cost of $2,000. The connecting main was completed October 1, 1854. Thirty and one-half miles of pipe were laid up to December 31, 1854. The total cost of the works at that date was $393,045.32. During the first year much trouble was experienced from sand being driven from the inlet pipe into the pump-well. The mouth of the pipe being only a few inches under water, near the shore, was exposed to the heavy waves of the lake. On one occasion the water was entirely stopped by a vast number of insects accumulating on the strainer.

To protect the inlet-pipe from those obstacles, a breakwater or basin was constructed in 1855. This being dredged to a considerable depth fully answered its purpose, and was in use until the completion of the first lake tunnel. In June, 1852, the water commissioners purchased from P. F. W. Peck a piece of land upon which to erect the South Side reservoir. The lots had a frontage of 217½ feet upon Adams street, and cost the city $8,750, The reservoir was completed in November, 1854. It was filled within ten feet of the top, or twenty-eight feet deep, on November 22, and the next morning it was found that the immense weight of water had caused the masonry to settle so that fissures were discernible on every side of the building. The water was immediately drawn off, and the various methods of patching up the job, which had already cost $60,000, were canvassed. Various plans were laid before the Council and a committee was appointed to examine them. This committee could not agree upon one thing, viz.: that it was necessary to construct substantially a new building. The water commissioners, therefore, strengthened the cracked walls as best they could with rods and braces, so that the tank could be partially filled with water and thus do some service during the winter. Pending the repairs of this reservoir the engines were run day and night. A portion of the thirty-inch inlet-pipe from the lake to the well was found to be defective, and a new one, three by four feet square, made of oak plank, was put in at a greater depth. Considerable difficulty was experienced in laying this pipe, involving the removal of the east wall of the engine house. Upon completion of the lake tunnel this arrangement was also abandoned and served subsequently as a waste-pipe for the water from the air pumps of the several engines.

In June, 1855, the reservoir was strengthened after the accident of the preceding fall, until it would hold eighteen feet of water, which, with other charges for repairs and general expenses, brought up the construction account to $380,070.73. A large fracture was found in the main pipe near the standing column of the works, on December 22, 1855. Notice was immediately given that the water would be cut off at Monday noon. Care was taken to have the reservoir full, and a man was kept stationed there with orders to turn on the water instantly in case of fire. The pipe was repaired within a few days, and but little inconvenience was felt by the people.

Up to December 31, 1855, there had been expended upon the construction and extension of the water-works system $496,849.64. The whole amount of bonds issued by the water commissioners had been $650,000. Over forty-one miles of pipe had been laid, and 4,251 buildings were supplied with water.

During the early part of 1856 the quantity of water used was nearly equal to the maximum capacity of the high pressure engine. Therefore it was necessary to replace it with a much larger one. A contract was made with the Morgan Iron Works for the construction of the south engine, which was set up and put in operation July, 1857. This engine was similar in construction to the condensing engine previously refered to, with a steam cylinder of sixty inch diameter, stroke of ten feet, two single acting pumps, each forty-inch diameter, six and one-fourth feet stroke. Much difficulty was experienced in preparing a foundation for this en-gine, as a portion of the only pump-well then built, from which the city supply was pumped, as well as the site of the old high-pressure engine, was to be occupied. However, the high-pressure engine was moved to a temporary site, where it might be used until the new works were ready. The labor of setting the stone was carried on during the night only. While constructing the foundation, no water could be admitted to the well, which seriously retarded progress. The daily supply of water was uninterrupted, and the reservoir in the South Division kept full, so that in case of fire the water therefrom might be admitted to the mains. In the summer of 1857 a twenty-four inch main was laid from the pumping works to the West Division, crossing the river at Chicago Avenue, by means of a wrought-iron pipe. Soon after it was completed, the river portion was rendered useless by a pile twelve inches in diameter being accidentally driven through it, permitting the water to flow into the river. From this accident the engine narrowly escaped injury by the sudden reduction of load. The damaged pipe was taken up, repaired and placed in its original position.

Up to 1857 two engines had been built by the North Side pumping-works. The first one, that of 1853, was put in operation December 16. It had a capacity seven and one-half million gallons every twenty-four hours; steam cylinder, forty-four inches in diameter, nine feet stroke; length of working beam. thirty feet ; weight, nine tons; diameter of fly-wheel, twenty-four feet; cost of engine and boiler, $24,500. The engine of 1857 was put in operation in July; capacity, thirteen million gallons every twenty-four hours; steam cylinder, sixty inches in diameter; ten feet stroke; working-beam, thirty feet; weight, sixteen tons; diameter of fly-wheel, twenty-four feet; cost of engine and two boilers, $59,000. Some parts of the engine were made to conform to the conditions of the building.

Owing to the position of the tower, the valve-gear or customary front of the engine was placed on the side, as it was deemed imprudent to cut the corner of the tower to admit locating the front in the usual place. In December, 1853, water was first pumped into the pipes to test them, and the first hydrant was opened on North Clark Street, near the bridge. The first permits to take water from the distribution pipes were tapped February 2, 1854, to residents of the North and West divisions. Pipes were tapped February 15, and water introduced into the buildings of the city for the first time.

On May 1, 1857, the works were supplying seven thousand and fifty-three buildings with water, for $85,012 per annum. May 6, 1861, the Board of Public Works was instituted.

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