View from the Standpipe

Wednesday  |  September 7, 2016  |  20:11 PM

For many years I have seen the "view from the standpipe," taken in 1890 by Albert Coleman (on glass plate negatives), then recreated in 1962 by Karl Spuhler (on photographic film negatives). Unfortunately the standpipe near Sippo Park was torn down in the 1980s and we cannot scale it to take a photo. For four years, since the 2012 Kendal Bicentennial celebration I have wanted to do something. Now thanks to intern Ben Ankrum and his friend Patrick Rohr and his drone, we have recreated the view from more than 100' in the air.

The view is from the standpipe (where State Ave deadends into Sippo Creek/Park Reservoir) looking southwest. Click on each image to view a high resolution version. Enjoy!

-Archivist Mandy Altimus Pond

Photo of the standpipe, c.1905. Photo by Albert Coleman
Collection Massillon Museum (BC 2682.1)

The standpipe, built and used by the Massillon Water Company, was built in 1886. It towered at 150 feet high. At the same time, they built a 30-million-gallon reservoir. The pump house that distributed the water is still standing today in Sippo Park near the remains of the standpipe base.

View from the standpipe looking southwest, 1890. Photo by Albert Coleman
Collection Massillon Museum, Gift of Karl Spuhler (91.7.3109)

The spire towards the left is North Street School. The large building in the background towards the right is St. Mary Church in construction. For reference, use the white house towards the bottom left corner, which is consistent in all three photos. The road stretching from the viewer towards the top right corner is State Avenue, and the road in front of the viewer is Parkview St.

View from the standpipe looking southwest, 1962. Photo by Karl Spuhler
Collection Massillon Museum, Gift of Karl Spuhler (91.7.3113)

Where the spire of North Street School towards the left is gone. The large building in the background towards the right is St. Mary Church, completed. For reference, use the white house towards the bottom left corner, which is consistent in all three photos. The road stretching from the viewer towards the top right corner is State Avenue, and the road in front of the viewer is Parkview St.

View from the approximate height of standpipe from a drone, looking southwest, 2016. Photo by Patrick Rohr

Where the spire of North Street School towards the left is gone. The large building in the background towards the right is St. Mary Church, completed. For reference, use the white house towards the bottom left corner, which is consistent in all three photos. The road stretching from the viewer towards the top right corner is State Avenue, and the road in front of the viewer is Parkview St.