Barcaldine Water Tower, 1914-
Description
The Barcaldine Water Tower is located on the corner of Pine and Yew Streets, Barcaldine and was first commissioned in October 1914.
After several Barcaldine buildings burned down in the 1890s and early 1900s, a town fire brigade was formed, but inadequate water pressure severely handicapped the brigade's performance. A 45,000 gallon (204,000 litre) tank on a 100 ft (30m) mild steel tower, designed in 1912 by the Government Hydraulic Engineer John Baillie Henderson, was constructed in 1914, with the tank being first filled in November 1914.
The tower is similar in design to those erected in the same era at Goodna and Sandy Gallop (Ipswich) mental asylums, to carry 60,000 gallon (273,000 litre) tanks. The Barcaldine tower is the only one of the three still standing.
The tower was retired from water storage service in 2006 and adapted for use as a communications tower. The conversion involved draining the water tank, removing the roof and installing new walkways and landings to satisfy current standards. The tower now carries an impressive array of radio and television antennae. The Barcaldine water tower survives in its original position, forming the centrepiece of a heritage park of growing tourism significance.
Division
Marker Type
- EHM: Engineering Heritage Marker (from 2009)