Washburn Park Water Tower

The Washburn Park Water Tower is a water storage structure in Tangletown, Minneapolis, that rises above the surrounding neighborhood with a cylindrical body and broad base. Eight sculptured birds are positioned at intervals around the perimeter, creating a distinctive crown-like appearance.

An earlier water facility built in 1893 on this site supplied water to the Memorial Orphan Asylum before Minneapolis took control in 1915. The current structure was built as the city modernized its water delivery system for the expanding southern neighborhoods.

The eight sculptured figures perched around the structure were modeled after careful measurements of an eagle that had attacked architect Harry Wild Jones near his home. Today these birds remain a distinctive feature of the park that catches visitors' eyes.

The structure is accessible on foot from nearby Washburn Avenue and stands prominently enough for viewing from multiple angles in and around the park. Clear days offer the best views, as the building photographs well and shows its details from various distances.

Pilots approaching the nearby Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport use this tower as a reference point during their descent. This practical role has made it a familiar landmark in the region's aviation navigation for decades.

Location: Minneapolis

Architects: Harry Wild Jones

GPS coordinates: 44.91077,-93.28401

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:02