Built in 1897, it is an architecturally distinctive city landmark, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The original specifications for the standpipe consisted of four single-sided legal pages, and, unusually, gave the architect the right to freely change the labor and material costs without voiding the contract.

During World War II, the standpipe was painted olive drab for camouflage purposes, because of its proximity to Dow Army Airfield, but it was repainted white in 1949.

While once open to the public, it was closed during the war, following a 1940 accident in which a 12-year-old boy was killed when he fell while climbing on the beams under the stairway.

[4] The 24 main posts which extend up past the observation deck begin at the base of the structure.

The sill atop the foundation is made of bent pine planks and is 14 inches (360 mm) thick.

Along the interior wall of the façade is a winding staircase which leads to the promenade deck encircling the top of the building.