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Preserving The History Of Fargo's Water Plant Because the new water treatment plant was built next to and upon the old plant site, the historical and architectural significance of the old plant had to be considered. An agreement between the City of Fargo and the North Dakota Historic Preservation Office spelled out the plan for preserving the old plant's history through narrative pieces, a historical exhibit in the new plant, a video documentary and the conservation of plans, drawings, photographs and records. Eighty-six years ago this month, Fargo officials broke ground for the city's first water filtration plant - easily the most important municipal improvement up to that time. Designed to provide a healthy water supply using the latest in filtration technology, the plant's architecture reflected the City Beautiful movement, which incorporated classical elements as a metaphor for progress, science an technology. Because construction of Fargo's new water treatment plant was partly financed with federal funds, the historical and architectural significance of old plant had to be considered during the planning process. A binding agreement between the City of Fargo and the North Dakota State Historic Preservation Office mitigates the adverse effect of the new plant project by preserving the old plant's history through preservation of archival material, the production of a video documentary, and a permanent historical display. Bear Creek Archeology, Inc., of Crisco, Iowa, Completed a study and cataloging of old plant photographs, blueprints and other documents, now housed in the North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies at North Dakota State University. Archeologists also videotaped interviews of a number of local residents associated with the old plant. Archival information was used by Prairie Public Television to produce the video documentary of the old plant's history. Artifacts, documents, photographs, and a computerized multimedia archive enhance the permanent historical display, located in the lobby, corridors and filter gallery of the new water treatment plant. Hetland Ltd. of Fargo was responsible for compiling and completing the display. Preparation and Presentation of Archives, Video and Historical Displays:
To learn more about the history and process of water filtration, call 241-1469 to arrange a group tour. |