Louisville, Kentucky: Waterworks Temple
Louisville Waterworks and water tower was built in 1860. Evokes an ancient temple. Museum open since 2014. Exterior statues of pagan deities removed for repair in Oct. 2020, and not expected back until 2022.
Waterworks Museum
- Address:
- 3005 River Rd, Louisville, KY
- Directions:
- I-71 exit 2. Turn north onto Zorn Ave. Drive a half-mile to the parking lot.
- Hours:
- W-F 10-5, Sa-Su 10-3 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 502-897-1481
- Admission:
- Tour $5.
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The Louisville Waterworks opened in 1860 to provide clean drinking water to the city, whose citizens previously drank untreated water directly from the Ohio River or smaller creeks. Designed to be a showcase and a point of interest for the rest of the nation, it was built to resemble a classical Greek or Roman temple, complete with faux marble columns and statues representing various mythological deities. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
It's still an active pumping facility, but sections of it are open for tours and the original pump house is now a museum.
Approximately two miles southeast of it, in Reservoir Park, is a pumping station designed to look like a German mansion.
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