A New York Landmark

he last free-standing water tower in Manhattan stands watch above Highbridge Park at 174^th Street.

Completed in 1872, the tower helped manage water pressure for the newly constructed aquaduct serving the higher ground on the northern part of Manhattan island. According to Steve Raphael, a ranger at the park, the Highbridge tower was designed and built by John B. Jervis, an engineer who also worked on the Erie Canal. The tower was part of a visionary system of aquaducts and dams which carried water from the Croton River in Westchester to the thirsty denizens of New York City.

At 200 feet in height, the tower is the tallest structure in the immediate area. The shaft of the stucture is octagonal and faced with granite. Jarvis designed the tower with a hint of the Romanesque style—it appears solid, but also graceful. The upper section has paired windows intends to conceal the tank itself. The interior tank held 47,000 gallons of water.

An adjacent seven-acre reservoir was converted into a gigantic municipal swimming pool by Robert Moses in 1934. In 1949 the tower was removed from service due to wartime fears of sabotage.

A carillon that rang at noon and six o’ clock was installed in 1958, said Raphael.

Originally, the rooftop cupola was made of copper. However, a fire in 1984 caused the timber framing of the roof to collapse. It stayed that way until a new cupola made of granite was installed in 1990.

Today, the tower is generaly closed to the public. However, Park Rangers do give periodic tours of the interior. Call 1(800) 201-PARK for more information.

The swimming pool at High Bridge Park used to be a municipal reservoir. PHOTO: Tamara Melck