Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Detroit Publishing Company Collection, [LC-D4-13613]

Ypsilanti Water Tower circa 1900.

Perhaps the most recognizable architectural symbol in Ypsilanti is the Water Tower. Designed by William T. Coats, the tower was built in 1889, in the Queen Anne style. Though traditionally Queen Anne style architecture lends itself to being a visual cacophony of features and color, the Water Tower itself is a more austere representation of the same style.

At the time of construction, the Water Tower was built to have a holding capacity of 250,000 gallons of water, and it stands at 147 feet tall. The Water Tower was also built to be able to generate electricity via water power.

Taken around the turn of the last century, this photograph is a part of the Detroit Publishing Company’s collection at the Library of Congress. The photographer is standing on Washtenaw Avenue facing slightly north and to the west. On the right edge of the frame, we see one of the remaining historic buildings on Eastern Michigan University's campus, Welch Hall.

The Library of Congress page associated with these images can be found here.

Elizabeth Palmer is the Customer Advocate at AnnArbor.com as well as a contributor. She writes about food and food traditions, sustainable development and her experiences as a curvy girl. She has a bachelor’s degree in photography and is finishing her masters in historic preservation. Elizabeth also teaches a course on sustainable development at Eastern Michigan University. You can contact Elizabeth by e-mailing her at elizabethpalmer@annarbor.com.