Water Tower (Current Primary Name)
Resource Identification
Name
Building Number
13 (Current Primary Number)
Evaluation
AFRH-W Historic District
-
Status
- Contributing (2007-01-01)
-
Period(s) of Significance
- Establishing a Balance (1883-1900)
-
Area(s) of Significance
- Landscape Architecture
- Architecture
-
Relative Level of Significance
- Significant (2006-10-29)
-
Quantitative Evaluation
-
Criterion A: 3 Criterion B: 0 Criterion C: 2 Criterion D: 0 National Significance: 0 Integrity: 3 Total Score: 8
Other AFRH-W Designations
none recorded
Other Designations
none recorded
Classification
NRHP Resource Type
Structure
NRHP Resource Category
Security- Maintenance- and Utility-Related
NRHP Resource Subcategory
Waterworks
Wuzit (original purpose)
Water Tower
Important Dates
none recorded
Location
Address
Primary Address
3700 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
Location Description
none recorded
Character Area
Central Grounds
AFRH-W Master Plan Zone
AFRH Zone - Other Areas
Phase 1A Archaeological Zone
Zone 2
Description
Architectural Style
Romanesque Revival
Description
General Description
After years of dealing with increasing demands for water at the Home, the Board authorized the construction of a water tower with a 50,000-gallon capacity iron tank. Construction coincided with the connection of the Home to the District of Columbia's water system. Executed in the Romanesque Revival style and taking the form of a medieval castle tower, the Water Tower complemented the Sherman Building (Buildings 14) as expanded and reconfigured by Poindexter & Flemer in 1887-1890. The structure now stands as an intact late-nineteenth-century example of a high-style utilitarian structure of rusticated stone. By the outbreak of World War II, the Home was fully connected to the District of Columbia's water and sewage infrastructure. The water tank had been abandoned for several years, when in 1942 parts of it were donated as scrap metal for munitions.
Function and Use
Function
Not in Use
(Current Primary Function)
Water Tower and Tank
(Historic Function)
Detailed Description
Form Type
none recorded
Measurements
none recorded
Components
none recorded
Modifications
none recorded
Map
Related Resources
Related Character Areas
Central Grounds (is contained within / contains)
