1708 Pump House Dr
Richmond, VA, USA

National Register of Historic Places - New Pump-House (Byrd Park Pump House; 127-193)

Statement of Significant:

The New Pump-House, or the Byrd Park Pump House, is an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture. Completed in 1883, the building was designed and constructed by Colonel Wilfred Emory Cutshaw, who served as Richmond's City Engineer from 1873 until his death in 1907. Cutshaw was an exceptional figure in Richmond planning and architecture, and his vision helped create a city of coherence and beauty. Thus, the New Pump-House meets National Register Criterion C in the area of Architecture as the work of a local master and as an outstanding component of Richmond's Gothic Revival style. An integral part of the waterworks' history, the building was constructed to pump water from the James River and Kanawha Canal into a reservoir in Byrd Park. The scenic location of the New Pump-House at the Three-Mile Locks of the canal system inspired Cutshaw to create the unique combination of a waterworks and dancehall pavilion. Therefore, the building served the citizens of Richmond in two capacities: its machinery supplied the growing city with water and its pavilion gave Richmonders a picturesque scene for entertainment. National Register Criterion A is satisfied in the areas of Entertainment/Recreation and Industry because the New Pump-House is important to local history and culture. The New Pump-House served as a waterworks from 1883 to 1924. No record has been found to document the last event held in the building's pavilion. Three additional buildings exist within the boundaries of the property being nominated. In 1924, the Hydro Electric Pumping Station was constructed beside the New Pump-House. The Station replaced the New Pump-House as the principal pump house for the city. To the east of the Hydro Electric Pumping Station is another pump house, the Worthington Steam Pump Building of 1881-1882. Both the Hydro Electric Pumping Station and the Worthington Steam Pump Building continue to serve as water pumping facilities. They contribute to the history of Richmond's waterworks and meet National Register Criterion A in the area of Industry. The third building, circa 1970, houses offices for the Department of Public Utilities and is noncontributing.


Historical Background:
Richmond's waterworks have their beginning with wooden pipes, laid at private expense, that carried water to citizens' houses from Richmond's numerous springs and the open stream that flowed from the Capitol across Main Street. Wells were also dug at street corners for general use and fire protection. In April 1828, a petition was made to the City Council to construct iron pipes for the purpose of conducting water. On January 29, 1829, the General Assembly passed an Act authorizing the City of Richmond to provide water via iron pipes to any streets upon the petition of two-thirds of the property owners. This is the first-time authorization was given to the city to construct a water distribution system. Richmond was growing rapidly, and by the following spring the demand for a general supply of water was urgent. A petition was introduced into City Council asking that plans and estimates be obtained "through a skillful, practical, and experienced Civil Engineer for introducing our city an abundant supply of good and pure water for all purposes." Albert Stein of Petersburg was procured to propose a plan, and an ordinance was passed on July 20, 1830, entitled "An Ordinance providing for watering the City of Richmond, authorizing the appointment of Commissioners for that purpose, and describing their duties, and for other purposes.' The Watering Committee began to carry out the plans of Albert Stein, selecting a site for a dam and reservoir (the Marshall Reservoir) and proceeding with the construction of the first pump house in the vicinity of Hollywood Cemetery.
An experienced engineer, Albert Stein had provided Richmond with a good design for the waterworks; however, the city was inexperienced and lacked the knowledge to effectively run the public utility. The distribution system was inadequate from the start, the machinery was over-taxed, and the regulations for the works were constantly undergoing revisions. For the next forty years few improvements were made, however, and dissatisfied Richmonders complained their water was neither "sweet nor pure."
In an attempt to better the water service to Richmonders, Superintendent of the Water Works James L. Davis recommended and executed additions to the Hollywood Plant, with the last addition occurring in 1872.5 However, it wasn't until 1874 that the city saw real advancements. Work finally began on a much-needed new reservoir on March 18, 1874, under the direction of the City Engineer, Colonel Wilfred Emory Cutshaw. Mr. Charles E. Bolling, Assistant to Cutshaw, was put in charge of the project. The reservoir began its service in January of 1876. The distribution system was then divided. The Marshall Reservoir supplied the lower portion of the city and the New Byrd Park Reservoir the higher portion."
To provide for future growth, efforts were made to secure hydropower from the James River and Kanawha Canal. The city was able to reach an agreement with the James River and Kanawah Canal Company on March 3, 1880, two days before the canal was sold to the Richmond-Alleghany Railroad Company. This agreement allowed the city to divert water from the canal around the Three-Mile Locks. The fall of the water could generate power to pump water into the Byrd Park Reservoir."