California Nursery Historical Park
The Water Towers
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low
tower, 1968 |
low tower, 1936 |
The distribution of water has been a highly debated issue in
California’s agricultural industry. The California Nursery in
Niles of Fremont played a significant role in efficiently
administering water to various planted fields through the use of
its Water Tower. The Water Towers were a support for a gravity
flow auxiliary holding tank, which was part of a distribution
system for watering container plants. Because the area of the
property had an abundant water supply, several wells were placed,
providing enough water to supply farmers’ needs locally for
irrigation. Many of these wells came from the Niles Cone
Groundwater Basin, which collected water from past floods and
copious rains. Alameda Creek was one of the many free-flowing
creeks that supplied farmers.
The original irrigation system developed by Rock used a flume
system from Alameda Creek which included deep, narrow channels
with streams running through them. In 1888, Spring Valley Water
Company agreed to supply the nursery with up to 50 million gallons
of water per year. The company allowed permission for the tanks to
be filled. A 12-inch Scottish welded pipeline was split in half,
with one end heading into the irrigation system while the other
was used as a pressure line to fill the tanks. Horses were then
used to furrow out the land for irrigation. However, repairs that
needed to be made on the line became difficult, as the pipeline
was built deep within the streets of Niles and encased in cement.
The streets had to be dug up for pipe renovations. Furthermore,
the increase of inhabitants in nearby neighborhoods began the
deviation of plentiful water supply.
By 1910, a water shortage due to the Bay Area’s increasing
population became more prevalent. This led to the establishment of
the Washington Township Water Committee in 1912, which ensured
that water remained in Washington Township rather than auctioning
and exhausting the waters from Alameda Creek and the Niles Cone
Aquifer. The formation of the Alameda County Water District (ACWD)
soon followed. This became the first water district founded in
California. The water supply was monitored carefully and the
Alameda County Water District (ACWD) produced a dependable stock
for its clients in alignment with federal and state regulations.
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1904 high tower frame |
1935 high tower |
There were two water towers on the California Nursery Property.
The first water tower was built in 1888 by American nurseryman
John Rock and held 15,000 gallons of water that serviced nursery
operations and front homes. The water was used for daily amenities
such as cleaning, washing, and drinking. The pillars from the
first tower are still present on the property. The second tower
was built around 1910 and held roughly 7,000 gallons of water.
These two towers serviced the front sixty acres of the property. A
third larger pressure tank was later built in 1946 and used to
irrigate the lath houses. Unfortunately, balancing water and air
pressure within the tank became difficult. To perform checks or
repairs, vertical ladders along the base and side of the tank had
to be climbed. The towers were removed and sold in the 1950s due
to advancement in irrigation and the movement of water through
pipes. New irrigation lines were built along Mission Boulevard and
water for use in businesses and homes was provided. The tank
unfortunately exploded in 2011 due to the imbalance of water and
air pressure. Thankfully, the California Nursery had long term
contracts with the Citizens Water District, later known as Alameda
County Water District (ACWD), for wholesale water rights.
Today, what remains of the Water Towers is now enveloped in a rose
planted 175 years ago known as Rosa banksia, with its more common
name as the Lady Banks’ Rose. This particular species on the
property was planted by Rock. It is native to China and can grow
up to twenty feet tall. Its unique physical attribute in
comparison to other roses is that it is nearly thornless. In
Eastern countries, it is used as a treatment for developed stages
of leprosy and gangrene. The wood used for the construction of the
Water Towers in 1888 has endured to this very day. The area today
greatly needs attention and tender care. Math Science Nucleus
President Dr. Joyce Blueford hopes to improve the current state of
the Water Towers. Over the years, maintenance has been neglected.
“We would like the preservation of the Lady Banks’ Rose and an
outside display depicting the importance of water and water towers
to the growing California Nursery Company as well as other
agricultural areas in Fremont,” Blueford states. By conserving the
Water Towers, the California Nursery’s remarkable role in
agricultural water distribution can be commemorated role of retail within the agricultural industry transformed
how the California Nursery dealt with the change of wholesale
business. California Nursery is one of first in the nursery
business to implement retail chains, creating a platform that
would later expand their company.
Contribution by: Joyce Blueford, Charlene Dixon
(TriCity Voice)
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