The logging industry may have used an elevated water tower. The water tank is constructed at a height sufficient to pressurize a distribution system for potable water, and to provide emergency storage for fire protection. We know that the early Minnesota logging industry was mostly active in the winter months. Water was pumped from the lakes to fill tanks for distribution on the logging trails. It froze making the roads beds of ice to make it easier for the horses to haul the heavy log filled wagons.
It is unlikely any of our early settlers had standing water towers on their homesteads. Water was plentiful because of the many freshwater lakes. In the early days, there was no electricity in the area and indoor plumbing was unheard of. Settlers likely collected rain water in barrels, but hand pumps in shallow wells provided water for family’s daily needs .
