West Water Tower and Ground Storage Tank
Why it's listed
Rising 136.5 feet above Orion's business district, this elevated steel water tower holds 50,000 gallons in a hemispherical-bottom tank carried on a four-post trestle of lattice channels. Built in 1928 by Chicago Bridge & Iron to the design of engineer James C. Vosburgh, it was made somewhat heavier than standard small-town designs because it followed the Chicago building code. On the same small parcel sit a 30,000-gallon redwood ground storage tank and a brick pump house that holds the well, pumping equipment and a chlorine room, all linked by underground piping. The riser pipe casing, originally wood, is now aluminum, and the pump house roof was changed from flat to pitched in 2002. The property was listed for its part in the village's water supply and growth, and as an example of the Horton-style elevated tank that became a familiar sight in American towns. It remains in municipal use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues local significance under Criterion A for its role in Orion's community planning and development, and under Criterion C for engineering as an example of an elevated water tank. It is a Horton-type hemispherical bottom tank on a four-post lattice trestle, a form widely used across the country. The period of significance runs from 1928 to 1952.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 02001754, listed February 5, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 310 11th Ave., Orion |
|---|---|
| County | Henry County |
| Listed | February 5, 2003 |
| Reference number | 02001754 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1928-1952 |
| Architect / builder | Vosburgh, James C. Engineer; Chicago Bridge & Iron |
| Architectural style | Other: Water Tank, Storage Tank, Pump House |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used for public water works. The tower is in good condition for its function, though the tank paint is peeling. The ground storage tank works but leaks occasionally. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.35346, -90.38211 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 02001754.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q24041209
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.