{"nrhp_refnum":"85000549","name":"Reading Standpipe","other_names":[],"category":"structure","location":{"address":"Auburn and Beacon Sts.","address_restricted":false,"city":"Reading","county":"Middlesex County","state":"MA","lat":42.531182897000065,"lon":-71.10544515699996,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"1985-02-01","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Community Planning and Development","Architecture"],"significance_levels":["local"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"A wrought iron and steel water standpipe, 138 feet high and 30 feet in diameter, on a hilltop at Auburn and Beacon Streets in Reading, Massachusetts. It was built in 1890-91 for the town water system and is owned by the Town of Reading.","why_significant":"It was part of Reading's first public water system, built after chronic water shortages for firefighting and a growing population. It is also a prominent visual landmark on the town skyline, visible from many points. Its design resembles a medieval tower. The form says it meets Criteria A and C and retains integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship and feeling.","narrative":"Rising 138 feet on a hilltop at Auburn and Beacon Streets, this wrought iron and steel standpipe is 30 feet in diameter and still serves Reading as a water reservoir. It was built in 1890-91 as part of the town's first public water system, which also included 20.5 miles of pipe, 111 hydrants and a steam-powered pumping station, at a total cost of $185,331.75. The town had pursued a water supply since 1883 because of chronic shortages for firefighting and rising demand from a growing population, and fires had devastated it with some frequency. After a private company was chartered in 1885, the General Court settled the matter in favor of town ownership in 1889. Beyond its role in the water system, the standpipe is valued as a landmark. Standing on a hill and visible from many points, it resembles a medieval tower in design. It retains its original location, design, materials and workmanship, and is in good condition.","period_of_significance":null,"architect_builder":null,"architectural_style":"Medieval-tower-like design","criteria":["A","C"],"status_note":"Listed in good condition; present use is as a water reservoir.","vacant_flag":false,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.0-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 02:11:57.564814-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/29/7919/63791929/content/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_MA/85000549.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/85000549/95faa898da-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/85000549/95faa898da-1600.webp","licence":"Public domain","author":"Unknown authorUnknown author","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ReadingStandpipe.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\">Unknown authorUnknown author</a>, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ReadingStandpipe.jpg"},"district":null,"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/63791929","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Standpipe","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7300567"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/massachusetts/middlesex-county/reading-standpipe-85000549/"}