Fairmount Water Works, (Philidelphia, Pennsylvania), 1812-1872, Greek Revival

     The Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia, PA was the second waterworks in the state and was designed by Frederick Graff in 1812. The project which consists of six seemingly separate structures, was continuously built between 1812-1872 and operated until 1909. In the late 18th century many outbreaks of yellow fever pushed the government to assemble a “Watering Committee”. A new water system was put into place in 1799 which consisted of two steam engines that pumped water through main pipes and into the city. The systems main problem was that if one engine stopped running the entire system would shut down.

A new design which contained 3 million gallons of water held in a reservoir atop Faire Mount was constructed. There was initially one pump house which held two steam engines that pumped water into the reservoir. A new technology was discovered an In 1819 the 1,600 ft dam which is adjacent to the project was constructed. Acting as a spillway, the dam routed water to a new Mill house which consisted of three water wheels and replaced the old steam engines in 1822. The Fairmont Dam prevented the brackish water of the Delaware River from mixing with the freshwater of the Schuylkill River. The dam created the “Schuylkill Pond” which consists of several miles of placid water used recreationally. The industrial workings which were disguised by the Classical revival exterior became a large tourist attraction for its beauty and location.

The buildings are all constructed of the Greek revival style which was popular in the early to mid 19th century. The project was meant to not only bring relief to the residents of Philadelphia through clean water, but also through a breath of new development and picturesque scenes. The monumental structures stood out from their natural surroundings of trees, and fieldstone. The compound sets an idealized scene with the adjacent river, gardens, and charming neo classical buildings, yet at the same time it contains a small version of a locomotive, a massive machine. The absolute beauty of the site outweighs its mechanics presently, however when it was first constructed the contrast between the new technology and the sheer perfection that the Architecture displayed was what gave the project its power. The mills were open to the public and citizens came in vast numbers to marvel at the silent gears and wheels in motion. In a way, the Greek Temple based buildings served as “religious” structures. The technology is hidden, and so it becomes secondary when viewed externally, but once inside a structure the technology prevails and becomes what fascinates the visitor.

View From Across River

In 1876 the Philadelphia Museum of Art was constructed, a massive greek revival building which sits where the former reservoir lay. The scene was then set and looks like the Greek Acropolis of Athens. With the massively overpowering “Parthenon” among the other religious temples which dot the plateau. After the Water works was shut down in 1909 its perfect scene had many different residents; The Philadelphia Aquarium (closed in 1962), and a public pool used for swimming competitions (closed in 1975). Attempts have been made to restore the site to its previous title of major tourist attraction, but to no avail. The project now gives tours and contains a restaurant, many weddings have been held within the complex as its only attraction is its sheer beauty, and no longer the technological advances.

Bibliography:

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA96/forrest/WW/home.html

YOUNG, KAREN and DIONNE WATTS-WILLIAMS. "Fairmount Water Works: Celebrating 200 Years of
Beauty and Ingenuity." Journal: American Water Works Association, vol. 108, no. 1, Jan. 2016, pp.
68-72.