The tower was built in 1891, in response to several serious fires in Benson; it supplied the village with water until 1985.

The tank held 15,000 barrels of water when full and was connected to the ground by a 6-inch (150 mm) diameter supply pipe.

[2] The village of Benson experienced major fires in its business district in 1884 and 1889, hindering its development as a commercial center.

Fitchen Brothers Construction built the tower for $6,400, or approximately $217,031 in present-day terms.

[2] The water tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 20, 1987.