Description and History of Site:-

Medieval tower originally part of city's defences.In 1677 the tower was leased to Mr Henry Whistler in order to provide a “Waterhouse or Waterworks for the service and accommodation of the inhabitants”.

It seems that Whistler subcontracted the actual work:

"Henry Whistler, Articles of Agreement with William Pawley and Edward Dallow, April 8,1682: recites the Grant from the Mayor and Authorities of York to the said Henry Whistler, April 1, 1677, of the “Ancient Building or Tower called the Water-house Tower, situate on the East side of the River Ouse, used as a Water-house, with Waterworks, for the supply of the Citizens of York with Water, &c. This agreement covenants that Pawley and Dallow shall build new works on the site of said Tower, fully efficient to supply the City with Water for private use: and large public Cocks for use in case of Fires, and enjoy the Profits for Forty-two years. Dated April 8, 1682." (Fairbank)

In 1682 a pump was installed supplying water through wooden pipes for two hours every other day (not Sundays). A steam engine and pump were first installed in 1769. Subsequently, further improvements were made including the provision of a more powerful steam pumping engine in 1836. This was housed in a separate building adjacent to the tower. Lendal Tower's role as the primary source of York's water ceased in 1846 with the establishment of the York New Waterworks Company at Acomb Landing (NYK00393) in 1846.

In 2015 was being used as self-catering accommodation.

Further Reading and References:-

YAHS - Hatcher Card Index. Research funded by the Yorkshire Arts Association 1972.
Hatcher, J. The industrial architecture of Yorkshire. Phillimore, 1985
http://borthcat.york.ac.uk/index.php/york-waterworks-company
Fairbank, F.R., "The Waterworks at York in 1682", YAJ, V15, p120,1900. https://archive.org/details/YAJ015/page/120

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Key Words :- tower water supply

Address :- Lendal Bridge, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7DP
Grid Ref :- SE 59996 51962
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.960273 , Long -1.087097
Local Authority :- York City Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade I
Historic England List No - 1257086,
Site Condition :- Site refurbished to residential housing
Contributor :- Daniel Balmforth - 4 July 2015

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Daniel Balmforth