Cool Spring Reservoir Plaza

(Upper left) The Cool Spring Reservoir was designed by consulting civil engineer William E. Morris of Philadelphia and others as an open air reservoir formed by an earthen embankment and bordered by 10th and Van Buren Streets. Work on the Reservoir began in 1873, with the construction of the lower embankment. By 1875, construction began on a stone wall along 10th Street to form the southern embankment. The Pump House was constructed later that year, followed by the Gate House in 1876. The Reservoir was completed in 1877, and by 1878, it was in full use, distributing an average of 43,000 gallons per day. The total capacity of the Reservoir at that time was 11 million gallons.

(Upper right) In 1905, the Reservoir capacity was increased to 40 million gallons. For the next 100 years the Reservoir was maintained, but remained unchanged. In 2005, construction of a new underground Reservoir began in the south basin along 10th Street. The new Reservoir has a holding capacity of 10 million gallons. Once completed, a new City plaza was constructed over the site. The outline of the original Reservoir is marked today by the reset granite coping stones around the plaza's perimeter.

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Cool Spring Park
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