Fort Thomas Water Tower, Fort Thomas, Kentucky

To keep yourself oriented in regard to where the photographer was standing
when some of these shots were taken - not always easy! - keep in mind
that the tower has a door and a large plaque on the west (Ft. Thomas Avenue)
side. Also, keep in mind that the "windows" of the tower (they're actually just
vertical slits) are higher on the east (Fort side) and west, street side, (...well, OK,
avenue side). They're lower on the northern and southern sides.

This is easily the most common of all Fort Thomas postcards,
maybe the most common of all Northern Kentucky cards.

"Water Tower and Main Avenue" 1908
To C.J.Codlina, North Collins, NY "Received your card
and hope you will like this one." Mrs. Kurchin, Cov. Ky.

Miss Lulie Crain, R.R. #1, Butler, KY
Hello Girlie, Do you object to my sending you a
card occasionally? How are you now? Come down
and see me sometime. I had a fine time while I was
home but you never came over. Why? With Love, EMC

"Bronze Tablet in Memory of the Glorious
Conduct in Battle of the U.S. Sixth Infantry,
and captured Spanish Cannon, Fort Thomas,
Kentucky"

The water tower is 102 feet high, and has a standpipe inside it which could contain 100,000 gallons of water from the Kenton County Water District reservoirs (just across Fort Thomas Avenue from it). The blocks at the base are granite, but the rest of the tower is limestone. The base is 23.5 feet square.

It cost $10,995 when it was built in 1890. The project engineer was Patrick Rooney of Cincinnati. The contractor was Henry Schriver, who not only built many of the other Fort buildings, but many other buildings in Fort Thomas and Campbell County.

And last but not least, what's the mystery behind that number "16" on
the door of the tower?? Find out here.