Come out this Saturday for the sixth and final open house of 2015, as fall colors light up the 1883 Fort Collins Water Works and its acreage. Whether or not you've toured the Water Works before, intriguing details seem to emerge every time you see the place. For example, on the pump house wall, have you ever
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Early October bathes the Water Works in autumn brilliance.
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noticed the brickwork pattern? Some bricks have their long side facing out, and some have their short side out, as shown in the close-up photo of the east exterior wall.
According to local historian Wayne Sundberg in his book
Fort Collins' First Water Works, "Bricklayers used the American common bond method to build the pump house walls. In this method, the bonding course of headers (using the short end of the brick), appears once in every five, six, seven, or even eight courses. The great variation in the placement of header courses creates an informal appearance, typical of late-nineteenth century picturesque architectural revivals."
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Note how some bricks on this exterior wall of the Water Works pump house have their short ("header") side facing out, and some have their long ("stretcher") side out. This bricklaying technique is called American, or common, bond. The pattern creates an informal look typical of the era in which this building was constructed.
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Have you seen this type of brickwork in other historic buildings around town? Tell us on our
Water Works Facebook page and/or give us a shout on Twitter
@PoudreLandmarks.
Come see the brickwork and many other details this Saturday!
What, When & WhereWater Works Open House
October 10, 2015, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
2005 N. Overland Trail, Fort Collins
Free admission; donations appreciated.
No reservations required.