Built to Last - Ypsilanti, Michigan Stone Tower - Episode 9

In the late 1880s, Ypsilanti, Michigan, faced serious sanitation and fire safety issues, relying on polluted river water and private wells. Enter W.R. Coats, a renowned hydraulics engineer, who designed a revolutionary water system that transformed the city. Coats' innovative design included an elevated storage concept, pumping water to a reservoir on the city's highest point, ensuring efficient water distribution and fire protection. This design, implemented in 1889, became the iconic Old Stone Tower. Constructed with local labor and materials, the tower has stood the test of time, undergoing several restorations while maintaining its historical integrity. Its 250,000-gallon capacity ensures constant water pressure and availability, embodying Coats' "harmony of the actions of the pumps and reservoir." Today, at 134 years old, Stone Tower remains a testament to exceptional engineering, community pride, and dedicated maintenance. A true symbol of Ypsilanti's spirit and resilience! Catch the full story in Episode 9 of my YouTube series, *Built to Last*. #WaterInfrastructure #EngineeringHistory #CommunityPride #Ypsilanti #StoneTower #Innovation #Sustainability #BuiltToLast