The Ypsilanti Water Tower, designed by William R. Coats, was built as part of an elaborate city waterworks project that began in 1889 and was completed in 1890 on the highest point in Ypsilanti. The tower stands 147 feet high, has an 85-foot base of Joliet limestone, walls that taper from the bottom to 24 inches at the top, and a reservoir containing a 250,000-gallon steel tank. To protect themselves from injury, the builders made three stone crosses, one of which is visible over the west door. Day laborers constructed the tower at a cost of $21,435.63, and in its first year the tower and city waterworks supplied 471 customers. An ordinance passed on April 14, 1898, created yearly rates based on the number of faucets in use, the type of business operated, and the livestock owned, including charges of $5.00 for a residence with one tap, $2.00 extra for a private bathtub, $7.00 for saloon keepers with one faucet, $3.00 for each additional faucet, $1.00 for each billiard table, and $1.00 for each cow; nonpayment could bring a $50.00 fine and ninety days in the county jail. Until 1956, this structure was the only water tower in the Ypsilanti water system. Since 1974, the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority has operated and maintained it, and it was designated an American Water Landmark by the American Water Works Association in 1975 and restored in 1976.