Roland Water Tower
The Roland Water Tower soars 148 feet into the Baltimore sky, a symbol of urban progress. The octagonal Italianate structure marries form and function, enclosing the machinery of urban water delivery. Its recognition among the most endangered sites in Maryland reflects the threat of deterioration faced by this local icon. The tower was built in 1905 to supply clean water in the area, enabling the development of diverse neighborhoods: Hampden, for mill workers along the nearby Jones Falls in the late 1800s; Roland Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., and George Kessler; and Hoes Heights, built by and for African-American servicemen returning from WWII. After the tower was deemed unserviceable around 1930, the property became a transportation hub. Trolleys and buses carrying local residents looped around the structure. Today, it has slipped into disrepair, but remains both physically and symbolically at the heart of Greater Roland Park. The community would use the funds to initiate the renovation of the tower. Recent engineering evaluations indicate the project is viable. By saving the Roland Water Tower, we will honor our community’s heritage and ensure that this structure remains relevant—a place to touch the past and nurture future connection.
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