Monday, September 12, 2011

North Point Tower


This awesome castle like water tower was built in 1874. It is located on East North Avenue. I love the characteristics of a castle and the mystery it carries with it.


Back in the day, this little beauty was built to improve sanitation around the area. The tower's purpose was to relieve the pulsations that were caused by the engines and to reduce the water pressure. This would minimize the chances of it breaking. A little list of milestones for the light house: The North Point Tower became a Milwaukee landmark in 1968, add to the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1969, became a national landmark of the American Water Works Association also in 1969. Finally in 1973, it was put on the list of National Register of Historic Places in 1973.


According to the Historic Designation Study Report, no additions or alterations may be add unless it needs to be restored and restored only to look like it was originally there. I think they should have that on every historic building. I'm glad this building was kept! It demonstrates 19th century technology along with beautiful architecture. It was very well kept up. Even though I wasn't able to visit the site, I'm going to try and escape to see this gorgeous tower!


Section 4(f) talks about the construction of roads that run through national parks and near properties that are historic. Having to add roads through parks stroke a lot of nerves due to the fact of destroying the nature and upsetting the animals along with other species. This could cause some of the populations to move else where. Even though making new roads will mix up the nature's population, it helps us be able to view areas of land that we couldn't view before.


Section 106 basically states how the public is involved in the decision making when it comes to what is historic. I agree that it is important to have the public be involved in what stays or goes when it comes to historical buildings based on the fact that what we find important and a part of history, we want to share that with the future generations to come. However, it's as if the government gives us a little bit of power to make us believe that we have a voice in the matter.


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Photo: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/milelandpix/sets/72157606610142093/

2 comments:

  1. I think that you point about "no additions or alterations may be added unless it needs to be restored" is a very valid point. This is something that local designation can really work with as the building/structure to get a building permit will now have to go through the Historic Preservation Commission for approval before any permits are issued. It is one way to have a system of checks and balances for the buildings.

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  2. To expand on Chris' comment, I think that the bureaucracy of Historic Preservation Commission in this case becomes a failure to preserve. And yes, Catie like Section 106 reads it does seem to make us believe that we have a voice in the matter but it surely is an issue that needs to be resolved internally as an organization first.

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