River Castle Mystery Solved.
Tuesday evening was Illinois American Water’s open house. Naturally, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like that, so I went down, pictures in hand. After touring the museum and grounds, I pulled out my pictures and asked one of the representatives if they recognized what was in them, and he pointed me in the direction of a gentleman who could.
Turns out my picture is of one of four abandoned water intakes (anyone who previously suggested that may now pat themselves on the back.) I instantly recognized my tower to be the same as one in a picture taken during the flood of 1926. I cannot put a date on when this tower was built, but a circular structure most resembling the intake called the “main well house,” was built in 1890.
If you’re curious about the whys and hows of water tower intakes, as I was, this is an interesting read.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:37 am
Kudos to you! You did good!
October 1st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
How fulfilling for you to get an answer to the mystery! Thanks for sharing!
October 1st, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Very nice !!!
\lol… my comment was a bit too short?
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:16 am
The 2 intake towers pictured are not the same. The one on the left has a much narrower area between the “window” and the brick “seam” next to it. The one on the right (in the flood) is larger, clearly. You can tell from the distance from the frontal “window” to the next “window” on the right.
You’ve proven that there were different sized water intakes along the river, however.
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:54 am
Prego Man, I believe you are correct in those being different towers. I didn’t notice it myself until after I published and looked at them side by side. It’s the roofline that gave it away for me. I see what you mean by the windows. Even so, they are very similar and fact remains that this is a water intake tower and has nothing to do with the upper free bridge, ferries or steamboats as I once thought.
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:30 am
how cool is it that something so utilitarian had created so much wonder
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Growing up, we were told they put prisoners in there. Then, after perhaps many years, when it flooded, the prisoners would drown. Gruesome for sure but that’s what kids dream up…
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:26 am
That’s pretty funny, in a sick sort of way.