North Point Water Tower, Milwaukee

The North Point Water Tower in Milwaukee is a striking 175-foot-tall Victorian Gothic structure perched on a bluff above Lake Michigan. Built between 1873 and 1874, it was a key element of Milwaukee’s first public waterworks system. Designed by Charles A. Gombert and constructed from cream-colored limestone sourced from Wauwatosa, the tower is both an engineering feat and a piece of architectural artistry.

Inside the tower is a four-foot-wide wrought iron standpipe, which originally helped regulate water pressure by absorbing pulsations from the massive steam-powered pumps of the North Point Pumping Station located below the bluff. The surrounding stonework wasn’t just for aesthetics-it served to insulate the pipe from freezing during cold Wisconsin winters. When it was placed into service on September 14, 1874, the system could deliver up to 16 million gallons of clean Lake Michigan water daily to a 58-mile network beneath Milwaukee.

The tower’s costs soared beyond expectations, totaling over $50,000-well above the original $8,000 estimate. Yet its iconic silhouette and practical function made it a lasting symbol of Milwaukee’s commitment to public health and infrastructure. Although the standpipe system was decommissioned in 1963 with the advent of electric pumping technology, the tower remains a cherished historical site.

Designated a Milwaukee landmark in 1968, honored by the American Water Works Association in 1969, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, the North Point Water Tower continues to draw visitors. Thousands have admired it during public events like Doors Open Milwaukee, and virtual tours have expanded its reach even further.

Often compared to its cousin, the Chicago Water Tower, Milwaukee’s version is the elder’s taller and equally charming sibling-offering a timeless reminder of the city’s industrial past and architectural ambition.