Documentary History of American Water-works

Georgia

Fort Gaine

Fort Gaines, Georgia

Fort Gaines was incorporated as a town in 1830 and as a city in 1907.

The town built a water system in 1878 (or maybe 1888) that pumped water from an artesian well into an elevated tank.

Water is supplied by the City of Fort Gaines..

References
1887 Engineering News 18:138 (August 20, 1887)
Georgia. Fort Gaines. Water-works are to be established. A supply has been obtained from artesian well, and a pump will be put in.

1888 The Morning News (Savannah, Georgia), January 16, 1888, Page 6.
The water works are nearly complete at Fort Gaines, After about three months' work a large tank has been completed and filled with water for use in the case of fire. Water was turned on Friday.

1888 "Fort Gaines," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.

1890 "Fort Gaines," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.

1891 "Fort Gaines," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.

1897 "Fort Gaines," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.

1905 "District Company Awarded Franchise," Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), July 18, 1905, Page 2.
The city of Fort Gaines has issued the Interstate Water Works and Construction Company of Washington, D.C., a complete fifty year franchise for the construction of water works and an electric lighting plant. l The work of putting in the plant will be commenced at once.

1906 An act to authorize the city council of Fort Gaines, Ga., to sell and convey the present public system of water works now in operation in said town, and the right to establish a public lighting system for said town. August 14, 1906.

1911 "New Waterworks System," Atlanta Georgian and News," January 28, 1911, Page 34.
Fort Gaines, Ga. The new water-works system of the city has just been compleed and connections are now being made. The entire supply is furnished by one large artesian well.

1976 History of Clay County, by Donald Todd.
As time passed, needs for an ever increasing citizenry became apparent. Fort Gaines people depended on open wells and natural springs for their water supply. As we know now, this was often impure. Early in the 1880’s an effort was begun to correct this condition. It had been found that the waterbearing of limestone existed at different depths under the soil. So, the first artesian well was sunk. This first well and derrick were placed at the crossing of Washington and Carroll Streets. The well diggers finally struck water at about 300 feet, and a steam pump was installed and used for several years. Because the pump was a nuisance, the well was later placed at a point just south of the Methodist Church. A water tank was elevated on a tower just about where the Alley comes into Hancock Street at present. This afforded the necessary storage and pressure. A virulent epidemic in the early 1900’s spurred improvement of the water system, and greater precautions were taken to insure a safer supply. This area has always provided a plentiful and dependable supply of water. Two other artesian wells have been bored, each affording to Fort Gaines a generous and unfailing supply of pure water.