Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 23, 2026

Reading Standpipe

The Reading Standpipe was a historic water tower atop a hill near the corner of Auburn and Beacon Streets in Reading, Massachusetts. The 138-foot (42 m) tower was built in 1890-91 as part of Reading's first water supply system and was for many years a significant community landmark. The tower was built of steel and wrought iron in a style reminiscent of medieval fortifications.

Last revised
Jun 23, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
194 w
Citations
4
Source
Reading Standpipe
early 1980s photo
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LocationAuburn and Beacon Sts., Reading, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°31′52″N 71°6′21″W / 42.53111°N 71.10583°W / 42.53111; -71.10583
Built1890 (1890)
ArchitectReading Water Co.
MPSReading MRA
NRHP reference No.85000549 1
Added to NRHPFebruary 1, 1985

The Reading Standpipe was a historic water tower atop a hill near the corner of Auburn and Beacon Streets in Reading, Massachusetts. The 138-foot (42 m) tower was built in 1890-91 as part of Reading's first water supply system and was for many years a significant community landmark. The tower was built of steel and wrought iron in a style reminiscent of medieval fortifications.2

The tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.1 It was demolished in April 1999,2 leaving only its companion modern tower (erected in 1953), which itself was subsequently demolished and replaced with a communications tower.

See also

See also

References

References