The city of Detroit began building its water system as early as 1824, with the construction of a waterworks at the foot of Orleans.

[5] In 1868, the city began developing Water Works Park, on Jefferson Avenue near at the foot of Cadillac Boulevard.

The main function of the site was to provide water to the municipal system, but it was also intended to use the grounds to be used as a public park.

[5] The architectural philosophies of the era called for construction of monumental gates at the entrances to public places, to symbolically separate the park from the hustle and filth of the city.

[5][9] It is decorated with carved garlands, water fonts and roundels, and an American eagle with outstretched wings tops the entire structure.