Chicago architect George Washington Maher was commissioned in 1891 to design a new water tower for Fresno . His design was influenced by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 ; the fire destroyed the Chicago Public Library but not the Chicago Water Tower , which then acted as a temporary library . Maher 's original design called for a library and a third floor to be built within the tower , but neither was executed . Construction finished in November 1894 at a cost of $ 20,000 . The water tower remained in use until 1963 when its pumping equipment had become inadequate . The water tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 14 , 1971 . It was designated an American Water Landmark by the American Water Works Association in 1972
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Old Fresno Water Tower