Davenport, IA: 1884 Water Works

First album of the city of Davenport, IowaPlant #1: (Satellite, the marked building is the address given for the pumping station)

Plant #2: (Satellite, the pumping station was along Ripley Street and the rest of the block was a reservoir.)

Pumping station #1 down by the river went online in 1874, and pumping station #2 up on the bluff  was added in 1884. Pumping station #2 also had a 8,000,000 gallon reservoir. But people preferred well water to the muddy Mississippi water. After they added a mechanical filtering system in 1890-91, they were able to sell more water. [npgallery] (Chicago's first pumping station "treated" the water with just a grate over the intake to keep most of the fish out of the water.)

When installed, the filters were the largest in the world. [1890nov27]

Davenport Iowa History posted

Davenport Water Company - 1884

This advertisement for the Davenport Water Company pictures the then-recently built pumping station No. 2 and its reservoir.

In 1883, it was found that the capacity of the water works, located on E. Front Street, had to be increased.  To accomplish this, an entire block of land was purchased between Ripley, Scott, Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets on the bluff.  The reservoir was built there, with a capacity of 7 million gallons, along with a pump house, which used two upright Clapp & Jones pumps operated by compound condensing duplex engines.  The cost of this improvement along with the necessary laying of new 18 inch mains, was $105,000.

In the fall of 1884, the Davenport Water Company installed a private water hydrant on the grounds of St. Katherine's Hall, along with its supply of hose.  The addition was said to render the Hall almost absolutely  secure from fire.  This statement was made of a facility that used gas fixtures for lighting.

The Hon. Michael Donahue, founder and owner of the Davenport Water Works, died suddenly and unexpectedly on October 2, 1884.  He had spent a pleasant evening with his wife, daughter, son, nephews and niece.  With a bright mind and cheerful heart, while in the midst of genial conversation, he passed away so gently and easily that his loved ones had no idea that death was near until he was gone.   

Mr. Donahue had many accomplishments over his lifetime from mechanic, soldier, foundry owner, engineer, manufacturer to his great benevolent enterprises.  He was one of Davenport's foremost and best citizens, and had also served as its Mayor for two consecutive terms.

Three images from the IowaSiteInventory:

1
p13 ["present day" appears to be the year 2000, but I could not find this building.]

2, p14

3, p15

David Rumsey 1875 Map via WaterWorksHistory

"Pumping-Station No. 1. — Pumping capacity, 11,000,000 gallons every twenty-four hours....There are two sets of pumps and engines in this station. Pumping-engine No. 1 is a condensing set of duplex engines of 5,000,000 gallons capacity per twenty-four hours, built by the Clapp & Jones Manufacturing Company. Pumping-engine No. 2, which has been recently placed upon foundations, is a high-duty Worthington duplex compound condensing engine, and capable of delivering 6,000,000 gallons per twenty-four hours against a head of 345 feet." [First album of the city of Davenport, Iowa via WaterWorksHistory]

ebay

Over the decades, more water treatment facilities have been added at Plant #1.