Something About the New Zebedee Water Tower

Pipe dream.

Looking out over his neighborhood at night, Lewis saw a "water tower at the top of the hill" glimmering in the moonlight (The House with a Clock in its Walls, 113)."

We've already noted Jonathan lived at the top of the hill on High Street (8) in New Zebedee. We also know fans can visit the Cronin House, which inspired Jonathan's house, on North Madison Street in Marshall. One block east of North Madison is High Street, and Bellairs appears to have added another Marshall landmark into New Zebedee. 

Remember when we discussed the waterworks and the old standpipe?

Marshall historian Richard Carver explained the significance:

Marshall's first water tower, built on the west side of High Street just north of the Pace Press, was used until 1965 when the city installed a new water system with more pressure for fire protection. It was removed in 1968 [1].

Carver also explains the Rev. James Edson White operated a printing press as early as 1912 at 325 High Street. He sold it to Ed Pace in 1920, whose son continued the business until 1961.

Neither location appears to have any remnants, so don't look for them on the walking tour.

The standpipe had an interesting history. A Sept. 9, 1892, article in the Marshall Statesman told how the city's board of health had a meeting to discuss its uncleanliness:

It was decided that the stand pipe which holds the city water supply was so filthy as to need a thorough cleaning out and an Interior coat of paint. Alderman Coleman reported that the top of the stand pipe was left open and a green scum covered the surface of the water, where English sparrows, mice, etc., were also found. It is easy to explain tbe sparrow part of the yarn, but unless Mr. Coleman rung in the mice for effect, It is hard to understand how they got into the stand pipe.

Ditto that.

The June 28, 1930, edition of the Marshall Evening Chronicle further highlighted the area around the standpipe:

People living in the vicinity of the standplpe take pride in keeping their places looking nice, but the standpipe lot looks more like a dump heap than anything else. It is grown up to underbrush and weeds, the grass is never cut, arid it is not in keeping with the surrounding property. The light and water commissioners should see to it that the place is improved. It would not cost very much to convert it into a park which would be appreciated by the people living in that vicinity, and would be a great improvement over present conditions.

A Sept. 9, 1938, Chronicle article noted the standpipe stood in what was "virtually a city park", so things apparently improved.