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Fairmount Water Works
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the first municipal waterworks in the United States. Designed in 1812 by Frederick Graff and built between 1819 and 1822 it operated until 1909, winning praise for its design and becoming a popular tourist attraction. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and is once again in the process of winning back visitors, having now opened an Interpretive Center to aid in understanding the waterworks' purpose and history.
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Following a series of yellow fever epidemics in the late 1700s (which was at the time thought to be caused by unclean water) city leaders appointed a "Watering Committee". The initial water system was designed by Benjamin Latrobe and accepted by the committee in 1799. His system utilized two steam engines to pump water from the Schuylkill River, into the city, then into two water tanks. From the water tanks, the water was gravity fed into a series of wooden water mains. The system was plauged with problems. If either of the steam engines failed, the water supply to the city was cut off.[1]
The committe began searching for another solution and eventually picked John David and Frederick Graff to design a new waterworks, in order to meet the demand of the increacing numbers of city residents.[1]
The waterworks were constructed between 1819 and 1822 on the banks of the Schuylkill River. The waterworks initially consisted of a 3 million gallon (11,350,000 lt) reservior and a pump house using steam engines to pump water. In 1822, a 1,600 foot (487 mt) dam across the Schuylkill to direct water to three water wheels that replaced the steam engine. Later, Jonval turbines were used to lift the water.[1]
The facility, the industrial nature of which was disguised by a Greek Revival exterior[1], became a tourist attraction for its beauty and its location on the riverside. Visitors included Charles Dickens who praised it for its pleasant design and public usefulness.
The waterworks eventually closed in 1909, after years of service, when several newer and more technologically updated facilities were built.
After the waterworks closed in 1909 the facility was used for several purposes, including the Philadelphia Aquarium (which closed in 1962) and an indoor swimming pool which closed in 1973. In more recent years attempts have been made to return the waterworks to its previous position as an engaging tourist attraction. Despite a severe fire which caused setbacks to the restoration, an interpretive center has now been added and tours are regularly given. Its position near Boathouse Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art is hoped to aid in making it a regularly-visited tourist site once more.
In December of 2004, Michael Karloutsos won a 25 year, $120,000/year lease with the Fairmount Park Commission. After a highly publicized renovation, Karloutsos opened Water Works Restaurant and Lounge(Mediterranian/American/Mexican) within the Water Works on July 20, 2006.[2]
