FALL RIVER — At the east end of Bedford Street, a 120-foot granite tower rises like the tower of a medieval castle. It’s one of Fall River’s most distinctive historic buildings, but it’s kept out of reach of the public behind a “No Trespassing” sign.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s off limits. water bureau Unlike other facilities in the city, it maintains several historical buildings and is open for everyone to see. All you have to do is ask.
“If anyone is interested in a tour, please contact the water department at their phone number,” said Community Public Works Director Paul Ferland.
The city’s standpipe water tower, the old pumping station on the shores of North Watuppa Pond, the ruins of the Watuppa icehouse, and the remains of Interlachen, Spencer Borden’s mansion, are all public property.
“That area is all signposted and people are not allowed to enter of their own volition. However, as long as we have staff to provide tours, we offer guided tours,” Ferland said. he said.
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Inside the old water tower, Watuppa Pond icehouse, Interlachen, etc.
The city’s water tower stands along Bedford Street a few hundred feet from Stonehaven Road. Built in 1875, the tower’s interior features a winding staircase that leads to a balcony near the top, topped by a copper roof. This bridge was used to pump water to some of the highest areas of the city.
Further down Bedford Street is the city’s water pumping station and water intake, built in 1873. On his January 5th, 150 years ago, the city began pumping water from Watuppa Pond through a pumping station into the city’s water system.
The city’s water system was built at a time when the population was rapidly growing and the city embarked on a major expansion of its water supply. The building still has antique pumping equipment from its early days.
“We have invested a significant amount of money and grants to stabilize these buildings and ensure that they do not deteriorate to the point that they cannot be used in the future,” Ferland said.
The Cook & Durfee Ice House is located along the shores of Interlachen Island’s pond, visible to motorists heading north on Route 24. A 50-foot-tall stone wall rises above the grass, the only remnant of the operation. Built in 1864, the store harvested blocks of ice from ponds and transported them to customers across the city before home refrigerators became commonplace.
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Elsewhere on the island are the ruins of Interlachen, a luxurious mansion once owned by industrialist Colonel Spencer Borden. Dating from the late 19th century to his early 20th century, the mansion once included a huge neoclassical house, two or three barns, an electrified bell tower, stables and even a tennis court. . The Borden family sold the house in his 1926 year, and within ten years the estate fell into neglect. It was demolished in 1938. All that remains is the foundation, but if you look carefully you can see the decorative flagstone pavers still embedded in the ground.
All of this is on property owned by the water board around North Watuppa Pond, the city’s protected water supply.
An open house is also possible in the spring.Click here to learn how to join the tour
The water board recently completed construction on a new headquarters on Bedford Street, replacing a dilapidated administration building built in the 1920s. The building is scheduled to be demolished in the spring of 2024. Ferland said at the time that he hoped to hold an open house for the new excavations and tours of these historic buildings.
But in the meantime, and any time after that, Ferland said he would be happy to organize a public tour of the water board’s facilities if there is enough public interest. The only bottleneck is securing staff to guide visitors. But Ferland said he enjoys using the opportunity to teach people about Fall River’s history and how its water system works.
The Water Department can be reached at 508-324-2330 or by email. Water@fallriverma.gov.
“I like to use any type of tour as an educational opportunity to teach people how water comes out when you turn on a faucet,” Ferland said. .
“When I go to schools and give talks, one of the first questions I ask my students is, ‘How many people used the product we made?’ How many people today? Did you take advantage of it? No one raises their hand,” he said with a laugh. “Who washes their hands or goes to the bathroom? People don’t understand what it takes to get water to the tap and to collect it after use.”
Dan Medeiros can be contacted at: dmereiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to the Herald News today.