Introduction | Historical Background | Chronology | Geography | Biography | Technology | Ownership and Financing | General Bibliography |
North
Central States |
Ohio | Ironton |
Ironton was incorporated as a city in 1865.
The city built a Holly water system that began service in May, 1872 pumping water from the Ohio river using two rotary pumps and a gang pump.
Water is supplied by the city of Ironton.
References
1872 Portsmouth
Daily Times, June 1, 1872, Page 3.
The Ironton Water Works threw their first stream of water Monday.
1874 "The
Water Works," Portsmouth Daily Times, May 30, 1874, Page 3.
Ironton water works sliding into the river.
1881 Ironton, from Engineering News 8:510 (December 17, 1881)
1882 Ironton
from "The Water-Supply of Certain Cities and Towns of the United States,"
by Walter G. Elliot, C. E., Ph. D.
1888 "Ironton,"
from Manual of American Water Works,
Volume 1.
1890 "Ironton," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.
1891 "Ironton," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.
1895 "Ironton's Water Works Wrecked," The Pittsburgh Press, July 24, 1895, Page 7.
1897 "Ironton," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.
1916 A
Standard History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio: An Authentic
Narrative of the Past, with an Extended Survey of the Industrial and
Commercial Development, Volume 1, by Eugene B. Willard
Page 313, 315: Building of the Waterworks.
Since then the greatest assurance of protection against fire has been
realized in the establishment and extension of the waterworks of the city.
As a sanitary measure, in connection with the construction of a sewerage
system, the distribution of healthful water was of prime importance.
The waterworks of Ironton have been in course of building and improvement
since November, 1870. On the 10th of that month W. C. Weir, construction
engineer of the Covington (Kentucky) Waterworks, in company with a special
committee of the city council, examined a site for the new waterworks on
the river bank, near the foot of Vernon Street, and at a citizens’
meeting, held at the courthouse, at that time, it was decided to construct
them on the Holley system. The estimated cost of the works was $80,000,
and the revenue $119,000. At this decisive public meeting B. Garvey
presided and E. S. Wilson, then editor of the Register, was secretary.
In February, 1871, the finance committee of the common council contracted
with J. Harsman and I. W. Iddings for the sale of $100,000 waterworks
bonds and arrangements were made with the Holley Company to commence work
at once. As the site for the power plant the Ohio Iron and Coal Company
sold the city 100 feet between Front Street and the river and above
Vernon. The specific contract with R. T. Coverdale called for the erection
of a neat brick building at that locality, 17,946 feet of pipe, the
sinking of a well and the running of the supply pipe under the river at a
depth of forty-seven feet, and twenty-five double and twenty-five single
fire plugs.
It would be immaterial to trace every step of the construction and
extension of the system. Although progress has been made from year to year
and the water furnished has been excellent, as a whole, temporary defects
have been encountered, mainly due to the fact that the water was filtered
through a natural sandbar which, in seasons of flood or other river
disturbances, affected the purity of the supply. As a protection against
fire, the works have always been considered an invaluable safeguard.
The Present Waterworks.
The present waterworks comprise a substantial power house, the machinery
of which is operated by steam and three pumps, installed in 1882, 1891 and
1898, respectively, having a combined daily capacity of 6,250,000 gallons.
The distribution system is ample for all demands. Within the past eight
years some $125,000 has been expended on the improvement of the system,
and, in response to the recommendations of the public and the state board
of health, a modern filtration system is under way, at an estimated cost
of $300,000.
Aside from the protection against fire afforded by the waterworks, Ironton
has an organized department, with accommodations for engine, hook and
ladder and hose.
At the time the original works were discussed the city council was about
to dig cisterns all over town and buy two steam engines, but this crude
solution of the problem gave way to the proposition to erect the
waterworks, both for protection against fire and epidemics largely
traceable to impure water supply. So the works were erected with a
pressure of 120 pounds to the square inch; pipes were laid through all the
streets and fire plugs placed at all the corners; and this feature of the
system. has been especially developed year by year.
© 2018 Morris A. Pierce