Old Landmarks

North Point Tower, Milwaukee.
8/20/2018  dwm photo

We got to Milwaukee with plenty of time before the Brewer game to explore, so we drove through downtown and came out on Lake Drive.  Not surprisingly, it ended at Lake Michigan.

What we found was North Point Tower.

It is one of the oldest landmarks in Milwaukee, built in 1874.

While it is a tower, it isn't a water tower.  It is a beautiful cover for a standpipe.  It handled the variations as steam engines pumped Lake water into city water pipes.

Basically, it helps smooth out the water pressure so service can be reliable.

It stands 175 feet according to Milwaukee's Water Works website.

It is built with cream color Wauwatosa cut limestone and features Milwaukee Cream City brick.

The tower and adjacent park provides a walking destination
for the neighborhood and nearby hospital.  (dwm)

When electricity replaced steam engines in 1963, the standpipe was no longer needed, but the tower remains.  It is less than a mile south of the North Point lighthouse.

While the the Tower doesn't have a light, it is another reference point for boats on the lake.

The interior was restored this year, which is necessary when you are 144 years old.  The spiral staircase was never meant for tourists, though, so this wonderful view is limited to tourist photos from the ground.

It is worth a stop, I thought it was neat.  The tower is its own traffic circle and you may find an open parking spot.