Historic Homes Tour Feature: The 1883 Water Works

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Tour the 1883 Water Works virtually or in person during the 37th Annual Historic Homes Tour

The 1883 Water Works - 2005 North Overland Trail

The 1883 Water Works - 2005 North Overland Trail

c.1883
Owner: City of Fort Collins
Style: Gothic Revival
State Register, 1999; Fort Collins Landmark, 1971
Managed by: Poudre Landmarks Foundation

In 1880, the Fort Collins Board of Trustees began deliberating about the town’s need for a better water-delivery system and selected this location as the site for its pumping station. Until this plant was built, water for household and commercial use was delivered by the water wagon, dipped from nearby irrigation canals, or pumped from shallow wells. After several devastating downtown fires, area voters agreed on a plan to build the Water Works in 1882.

The 1883 Water Works was Fort Collins' first public works project. It is located along the foothills west of Fort Collins, where the historic Overland Trail runs through the property. It now boasts 23+ acres, 4 buildings, 2 ditches, vintage apple trees, and more.

The original Gothic Revival style pump house is an excellent example of late nineteenth-century industrial architecture. At the time, municipalities often favored picturesque Gothic Revival style public buildings. Few examples remain today.

The water plant’s rural location offers protection from development pressures. Cottonwood trees line Larimer County No. 2 irrigation canal and provide a scenic backdrop for the Water Works buildings. Larimer No. 2 leased the original Water Works supply canal from the city in 1906. The supply canal delivered water from the Cache la Poudre River to the Pump House during its years of operation.

POUDRE LANDMARKS FOUNDATION & THE 1883 WATER WORKS

PLF began management of this City of Fort Collins-owned facility in 1995. The Friends of the Water Works began tours of the facility in the late 1990's. Since that time, thousands of guests have toured the facility, learned about local water history and the historic Overland Trail that runs through the property.