West Washington Street Pumping Station

West Washington Street Pumping Station is a brick building in Indianapolis that originally moved water across the city through mechanical power. The structure features a slate roof with a central tower and decorative arched openings running along its exterior walls.

The Water Works Company of Indianapolis built this pumping facility in 1870 as the city's first water system. It continued operating for nearly a century until closing in 1969.

The structure represents the evolution of municipal water systems and early engineering solutions for providing clean water to urban populations.

The building now houses offices and a visitor center for White River State Park, where you can get information about local attractions and park activities. It is a helpful starting point if you want to learn more about the city's history and outdoor spaces.

The station contained three large centrifugal pumps installed in 1908 that could move millions of gallons of water daily. These pumps were powered by water turbines connected to the Indiana Central Canal, making the system remarkably efficient for its time.

Location: Indiana

GPS coordinates: 39.76667,-86.17194

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:13