Fairmount Water Works

Fairmount Water Works was the centerpiece of Philadelphia's water system from 1815 to 1909. Its neoclassical buildings, designed by Frederick Graff and Frederic Graff, Jr., concealed huge machines that pumped Schuylkill River water to a reservoir above, from which it flowed to the city. Power was originally supplied by Oliver Evans' high-pressure steam engine, the largest of its day. After 1821 the pumps were driven by breast wheels; after 1851, by turbines.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · United States