Tyler Hydraulic-Fill Dam
Also known as: 1894 Tyler Waterworks Dam,or Bellwood Lake Dam
Why it's listed
Built in 1894 on Indian Creek west of Tyler, Texas, this earthen dam created the reservoir now known as Bellwood Lake. It is 575 feet long and 32 feet high, holds 24,000 cubic yards of fill, and impounds 177 acres of water. Engineer J. M. Howell designed it for the Tyler Water Works, then owned by B. B. Cain, to supply domestic water and fire protection. Rather than hauling earth, builders used a steam pump to drive water against a neighboring hill, washing sand and clay through a 13-inch pipe onto the dam site. The entire job cost $1,140, or about 65 cents per acre-foot of storage. The dam was listed because it was one of the earliest hydraulic-fill dams of its size in the United States. A 1909 engineering text reported no apparent defects. Apart from a concrete spillway added by a 1934 Civil Works Administration project, it remains close to its original state and is now a recreational site for local residents.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it was one of the earliest hydraulic-fill dams of its size in the United States. Engineer J. M. Howell designed it using a hydraulic-jet and sluicing method, and the whole dam cost only $1,140. It remains largely in its original state and still impounds the lake.
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 77001543, listed August 29, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W of Tyler off TX 31, Tyler |
|---|---|
| County | Smith County |
| Listed | August 29, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001543 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1894) |
| Architect / builder | J.M. Howell, C.E. |
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains intact and in sound condition, still impounding Bellwood Lake; the reservoir no longer supplies water to Tyler and is used for recreation. A 1934 Civil Works Administration project added a concrete spillway. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 32.33140, -95.36893 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 77001543.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q31566885
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.