Westby Standpipe

In 1899, when Westby had a population of 524, it was decided that all citizens should have the availability of a village water system for all their water needs a well to be able to fight fires. Prior to this there was a village well located close to the stockyard and a wooden windmill located in the parking lot behind where Borgen’s is today. Apparently not everyone was connected to village water, however, and those who were, did not have enough water pressure if a fire emergency should arise.

Westby Standpipe before 15 more feet in height was added. Today the Stabbur would be located near the building in the photo. In the foreground are the
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific railroad tracks. 

A half-acre site for the construction of the water tower and well were bought from Ole Thoreson for $100. The site was described as a solid rock 60-foot hill, located in the center of the village.

Construction of the water tower and the new well were completed in 1900. Both were located on the hill behind where the Stabbur is located today. The new water tower was 16 feet in diameter and 50 feet tall and the well was dug to a depth of 300 feet at a cost of $313.20. The last well dug in Westby in 1975 cost almost $250.000.

When the water tower was built in 1900 it did not have roof, so anything flying over, could and sometimes did, fall in. Thirty plus years later this situation was fixed with an addition of 15 feet and most of all a roof over our water supply.