Hackensack Water Company Complex

The Hackensack Water Company Complex is a group of buildings constructed in Weehawken, New Jersey, United States, by the Hackensack Water Company in the late 19th century. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Development

The site's most distinguishing feature, the red Weehawken Water Tower, was built in 1883. Designed by Frederick Clarke Withers, it was modeled after the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. The tower was capable of holding 165,000 gallons of water and stands 175 feet high, 300 feet above sea level at the Hudson River.Anderson, Steph. [http://www.hudsonreporter.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15229056&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523586&rfi=6 "What's that building??"] , "Jersey City Reporter", September 17, 2005. Accessed August 4, 2008.]

The tower was connected to a reservoir atop the New Jersey Palisades to which water was pumped from the Hackensack River, located approximately 14 miles away. While the reservoir at the site could provide adequate pressure for water users in Hoboken, located just above sea level, water pressure was inadequate for customers atop the Palisades. [http://rogershepherd.com/WIW/solution11/wwt.html Weehawken Water Tower] , Rogersheperd.com. Accessed August 4, 2008.]

The tower was designed to accomplish two separate purposes in one structure. The tower housed the local headquarters of the Hackensack Water Company, and allowed clean water to be stored in a tank at the top of the structure, stored under pressure for use by residents, businesses and for fighting fires. The opening of the facility on September 29, 1883 was a major event, with Withers recognized by professional journals for the innovation of his design.

Today

The township of Weehawken took over the property in 2000, and began a restoration project. Paragon Restoration Corporation completed eight months of restoration on the site's exteriors in September 2004, with slate replaced on the roof, stonework fixed at the base and windows replaced. New steel supports and wood floors were installed in the interior, and space was left to accommodate an elevator and fire staircase.

The "Red Tower" is listed on the Federal Maritime Chart as a landmark for ships heading south on the Hudson River to let them know that they were approaching New York Harbor.

The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 as Building #80002491. [ [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/nj/Hudson/state.html New Jersey - Hudson County] , National Register of Historic Places. Accessed August 4, 2008.]

References