Save The Historic Brainerd Water Tower

Constructed between the summer of 1919 and the end of 1920, The Historic Brainerd Water Tower was the first of its kind in the world.  Being the first of three towers dreamed up by designer and engineer L.P. Wolff, over the years it has since ceased to function as it was originally intended and has instead morphed into something far greater.  Not only is the tower a feat of early century engineering, it has become the very symbol of the iconic Central Minnesota city from which it rests.  The Beacon of the North, Paul Bunyan's Flashlight - the tower holds many names, but no matter what you call it, the true beauty lies within the generations of history that it now represents.

Please join us in our efforts to save the structure that has come to represent this area so well.  Help us raise the funds needed to ensure that it remains for the next 100 years as we continue celebrating a part of our collective history.

Join the fight.  Save the Tower!



They just don't build them like they used to.  Those words ring true in many aspects of our lives today, but in the case of The Historic Brainerd Water Tower the opposite could be said as well - they had never built anything like this before.  The story of the tower is a simple one.  The city of Brainerd Minnesota needed a clean water supply that could also help stop the rapidly growing problem of structural fires it had seen in recent years.  How they ended on the decision to create the first ever continuously poured concrete water tower for use by a municipality is another story.


Through a combination of an ambitious engineer/designer named L.P. Wolff, and the desire of the Northern Pacific Railroad to create a statement piece at its northern crossing over the mighty Mississippi River, the central Minnesota town decided to attempt something that had never been done before.  It took took 18 months to complete, and was not without its share of problems, but in the end what they created was nothing short of inspiring.


Through the years the tower had its share of problems, which culminated in 1968 when it was originally scheduled to be removed.  Over the next six years citizens of the area fought diligently to ensure that this would not happen.  In 1974 The Historic Brainerd Water Tower was placed on the newly formed National Registry of Historic Places.  The city of Brainerd voted via referendum to save the structure and the city council adopted the plan to restore it which sadly included the removal of it's domed roof.  This decision, although well intended, created the future problems we see today.  The interior of the bowl that was not intended to be exposed has been subjected to the harsh Minnesota elements for the last 45 years.


Now here we stand on the eve of its 100 year anniversary and the tower once again needs our help.  The many years of cold Northern Minnesota winters have taken their toll.  The concrete that has stood stoically for so many years is starting to show its wear and tear.  The stucco scares that have formed on its outer shell send warning of larger problems on the horizon.  In an effort to protect the tower before serious damage is done we are looking to supplement other efforts in raising as many funds as possible to help take a dent out of the price tag that could reach as high as $3 million.


Our goal is simple.  We are looking to raise every possible penny we can to help offset the burden that would be placed on the current 14,000 citizens of the City of Brainerd if tax dollars are eventually used.  Through the years The Tower has become an icon in Minnesota Lore.  It has signaled the arrival into the great north for generations of visitors to the world famous Brainerd Lakes Area.  Countless children have starred upon it in awe out the back of their parents station wagons on their way to the family cabin, and it has stood witness to travelers and community members alike through nearly 100 years of its ever changing landscape.  However more importantly it has become the symbol of the strength and resilience of the people who call this area home.

The Historic Brainerd Water Tower is more than simply a structure.  It is the heart of our community, and because of that we ask that you join us in raising funds to help restore a pivotal part of our collective history.


Our first goal of $5,000 is to help with small portions of The Tower's needs.  There are many individual projects with escalating dollar amounts attached to their repair that we would like to address, but our desire is to start small and work our way up to the much larger projects as we go.  The City of Brainerd is helping in our efforts to secure grants through various historical programs including the Minnesota Historical Society, and the National Park Service, but we are asking for donations from the public to help us reach our ultimate goal of $1.6 million when everything is said and done.  Thank you in advance for your generosity.  No amount is too small. 
 
For information on refundable donations of cash or check of $250 or more please contact:
Brainerd Community Action
(218) [phone redacted]
BrainerdCommunityAction.org

Photo credits in order of appearance 

Dan Vang Photography
Crow Wing Historical Society X2
Bonnie Hillma
The Jallie
Save The Brainerd Water Tower Committee