The Society would like to help celebrate the Re-Opening of the 
Observation Deck, Rockford Water Tower, Rockford Park, Wilmington
with some photos from our library collection.

The first photograph shows the tower under construction, 1900

 

The second is a panoramic view from 1920 taken
from atop the Rockford Water Tower.

(Please wait for all the pictures to download, it may take a few minutes, 
since there are seven rotating photos, but it's worth the wait!
If you would like to view the photos individually, scroll down
and click on the photo you would like to see up close!)

The impressive tower conceals a 500,000 gallon water tank, a working part of the city water system.  The tower, designed by Theodore R. Leisen, city engineer, opened in 1901.

It has been a popular subject for artists through the years.  And since 1952, Rockford Tower has been the focal point for the Wilmington Flower Market.

For more information about the tower's construction and history, see Rockford Tower (Cedar Tree Press: 1990).  It was written by Constance J. Cooper, manuscript librarian for the Historical Society of Delaware.  The book is available in the museum gift shop.