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Feb 2, 2009

Water Company Standpipe, 1888


131 Lafayette Street

The Standpipe, which is 121 years old, stand 100 feet in height and is 15 feet in diameter; liquid capacity is 145, 750 gallons. Built in 1888 the Standpipe was placed on the National Register of Historical Places December 4, 1973. 

Architect, builder, or engineer: John H. Wood, E. Smedley.

This is the best picture of the standpipe that you will see on the Web, the whole pipe at such an elevated angle, with the Mississippi and barge's in the background. 



Map

AWARD READS:
AN AMERICAN WATER COMPANY LANDMARK
SIGNIFICANT IN THE HISTORY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
DESIGNATED BY
AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

The Standpipe received an award from the "American Water Works Association" for significance in the history of public water supply, date of the award is unknown to me.

Last time I was at the standpipe I looked for the award and didn't find it, it has been removed, which I assume  it was because of the last paint job. A lot of people today hold nothing dear of historical nature.




5 comments:

Sam said...

That really is a shame. You are so right; people never cease to disappoint, these days.

Anonymous said...

I visited a Baton Rouge for the first time today. It is ridiculous that there is no marker to explain why there is a 100' "smokestack" in the heart of downtown.

What point is there in protecting something historical if you don't explain it's context or history? Thanks to your blog for letting me find the answer.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ronnie Owens said...

@Anonymous: I am sorry for not being clear, it isn't a smoke stack, but a Water Company Standpipe, which I assume was for the purpose of producing water pressure in the 1880s.
Thank you for your visit to Baton Rouge (Fr. red stick).

Anonymous said...

I just saw it a week ago when there for a wedding, and asked at least a dozen (some long time) residents what it was. No one knew!
Thanks for having the info out there... and if you get a chance please post it to the Wikipedia article that is a dead end currently! (See listings of National Register in Baton Rouge)
Cheers, John G.