Is the Ypsilanti water tower still in use?

Today the tower is frequently joked about for its phallic shape. It has become a well-known landmark in Ypsilanti, and due to the building’s shape and location, the tower is frequently used by residents as a point for providing directions for visitors and residents.

How old is the Ypsilanti Water Tower?

132Ypsilanti Water Tower / Age (c. 1890)

Where is the Ypsilanti Water Tower located?

Ypsilanti, Michigan: Phallic Water Tower West side, at the highest point in the city, at the intersection of W. Cross St., Hwy 17/Washtenaw Ave., and N. Summit St.

How much water can the Ypsilanti Water Tower hold?

250,000 gallons
The tower is 147 feet tall and has the capability to hold 250,000 gallons of water. The exterior was designed in the popular Queen Anne style of the period, according to Eastern Michigan University’s website. That specific style often experimented with different shapes particularly towers.

What is a water tower made of?

A variety of materials can be used to construct a typical water tower; steel and reinforced or prestressed concrete are most often used (with wood, fiberglass, or brick also in use), incorporating an interior coating to protect the water from any effects from the lining material.

Who is ypsilantis?

The settlement was named for Demetrios Ypsilantis, a patriot who fought in the War of Greek Independence; a monument to him stands in the city. Ypsilanti and Woodruff’s Grove coexisted for several years, but a fire at the Woodruff’s Grove school led to the abandonment of that settlement in favour of Ypsilanti.

Is Ypsilanti in Wayne County?

Ypsilanti (/ˌɪpsɪˈlænti/) commonly shortened to Ypsi, is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan.

Do water towers freeze?

It’s rare for a water tower to freeze over, even during the coldest winter months. There are methods to prevent such a hardship, as well as other ways to guard against any hazardous winter weather.

Can a water tower fall?

The newly constructed Regent Street water tower in Fredericton, N.B., Canada, totally collapsed Dec. 19, 1990, during the normal procedure of initial filling. Many samples of materials were taken from the wreckage for testing.

What is Ypsilanti famous for?

Ypsilanti is the historic site of Michigan state normal school, now Eastern Michigan University, the fourth normal school established in the United States, and the historical campus of Cleary Business College, now Cleary University. It is also the location of the first Domino’s Pizza.

Are water towers actually full of water?

Water towers hold 50 times the amount of water a backyard swimming pool will hold, that is a lot of water! The towers are built to hold at least one days’ worth of water. The largest man-made water tower can hold 1.2 million gallons of water!

What happens to water towers in the winter?

The water level in the tower typically falls during the peak usage hours of the day, and then a pump fills it back up during the night. This process also keeps the water from freezing in cold weather, since the tower is constantly being drained and refilled.

Can a tornado knock down a water tower?

National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Smith, who has conducted tornado research with Dr. T. Fujita and now participates in NWS storm assessment investigation of tornado disasters, says water towers can survive because of their streamlined shape.

What Native American tribe lived in Ypsilanti Michigan?

The Indian tribe called the Hurons, made their homes, from time to time, along the river bank. They were Iroquois who had been driven from Canada.

Why do small towns have water towers?

The primary function of water towers is to pressurize water for distribution. Elevating the water high above the pipes that distribute it throughout the surrounding building or community ensures that hydrostatic pressure, driven by gravity, forces the water down and through the system.

How do they fill water towers?

The upper portion of water is skimmed off the top for everyday use while the water in the bottom of the tower is held in reserve to fight fire. When the water drops below a certain level, a pressure switch, level switch or float valve will activate a pump or open a public water line to refill the water tower.

Do Water Towers ever fall over?

A water tower collapsed in eastern Shelby County on Saturday. Now, officials are trying to determine how it happened. View images | Mobile video”It reminds you of a tsunami-type wave of water. It just came across and took everything in its path with it,” said James Riddle with the Waddy Fire District.

Is there a water tower in Ypsilanti Michigan?

Ypsilanti Water Tower. The Ypsilanti Water Tower is a historic water tower in Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States.

Is Ypsilanti’s water tower the most phallic in the world?

forum Comment. Dominating the city’s landscape, Ypsilanti, Michigan’s centrally located water tower was actually named “the most phallic building in the world” by a magazine and the locals would seem to agree. The water tower was designed by architect William R. Coats and built in 1889 in the “Queen Anne” architectural style popular during the era.

What is the significance of the Ypsilanti tower?

Today the tower is frequently joked about for its phallic shape. It has become a well-known landmark in Ypsilanti, and due to the building’s shape and location, the tower is frequently used by residents as a point for providing directions for visitors and residents.

How much did it cost to build the Ypsilanti tower?

The tower was designed by William R. Coats and built as part of an elaborate city waterworks project that began in 1889. Located on the highest point in Ypsilanti, the tower was built in 1890 at a cost of $21,435.63 (equivalent to $572,041 in 2019). Today the tower is frequently joked about for its phallic shape.