Mayfair Pumping Station
Encyclopedia
The Mayfair Pumping Station is an historic structure on Northwest side of Chicago
, United States
. Located at 4850 W. Wilson Avenue, the pumping station has served as the archetype for similar pumping stations worldwide.
as early as 1803. By the late 19th century, it became clear that an organized water distribution system was needed.
In 1918, the Mayfair pumping station was constructed to add pumping capacity to Chicago's water system. The station was constructed on the former farmland of Elsie Budlong, owner of the Budlong pickle factory (see Budlong Woods, Chicago). The station had a rather modest start as single steam-driven pumping station, with a team of horses available to step in with the frequent breakdown of the single steam pump.
, the residents nominated a local resident, Arne Ziegler of Chicago's Sauganash neighborhood, to lead a delegation to Springfield, Illinois
. Meeting first with Republican
governor Len Small
and subsequently Republican governor Louis L. Emmerson
, the Ziegler delegation made progress in securing funding for upgrading the station.
The station was a frequent hideout of the notorious gangster Al Capone
.
governor Henry Horner
, a supporter of Downstate causes, blocked the Mayfair upgrades, famously declaring that the "wealthy Chicagoans can afford their own water." With this, upgrading of the station was stalled. It was only until the administration of Dwight H. Green
that the station became upgraded.
) in the mid-1950s required substantial relocation of sewer lines around the new thoroughfare. The Mayfair pumping station presented an additional engineering dilemma since these new sewers needed to go either under or over the large water mains that serve the station. An underground bridge, covered with earth fill, was constructed over the mains to carry the sewer lines.
Many of Chicago's surrounding suburbs, in particular Niles, Illinois
and Morton Grove, Illinois
, were in a period of rapid growth and required increasing amounts of water. After protracted battles with the City of Chicago Water Department, the Supreme Court of Illinois
ruled in 1957 that Chicago was required under the Illinois Constitution
and certain intergovernmental contracts to supply water. This ruling paved the way for the development of these municipalities and for the growth of the greater Chicago metropolitan area generally north of Irving Park Road and west of Harlem Avenue.
The court's decision was vindicated when the 1961 Des Plaines, Illinois
fire at Sears, Roebuck was able to be extinguished quickly with available hydrant
pressure, thus avoiding loss of life and significant property damage. Mayor Richard J. Daley
, recognizing the significance of the station in this respect, commemorated the station in a 1962 Chicago City Council
resolution.
Certain difficulties were presented by the construction of the Northwest Tollway.
Hydro-Therminal pumps are in operation, each with an associated Pratt meter. The original steam-driven pumps have been replaced with electric pumps with a direct linkage to the Zion nuclear power
plant.
The venturi
s at the station do not have bronze throat-liners, unlike those at other Chicago-area pumping stations, but this is not reported to be a problem (B. Whalin, USDA-ARS Water Conservation Laboratory, written communication, October 11, 2000).
.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Located at 4850 W. Wilson Avenue, the pumping station has served as the archetype for similar pumping stations worldwide.
History
Water began to be pumped from the Chicago RiverChicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of the same name, including its center . Though not especially long, the river is notable for being the reason why Chicago became an important location, as the link between the Great Lakes and...
as early as 1803. By the late 19th century, it became clear that an organized water distribution system was needed.
In 1918, the Mayfair pumping station was constructed to add pumping capacity to Chicago's water system. The station was constructed on the former farmland of Elsie Budlong, owner of the Budlong pickle factory (see Budlong Woods, Chicago). The station had a rather modest start as single steam-driven pumping station, with a team of horses available to step in with the frequent breakdown of the single steam pump.
The 1920s and early 1930s
Many residents in Chicago's North Side frequently complained of the lack of water. Fearing a repeat of the Great Chicago FireGreat Chicago Fire
The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned from Sunday, October 8, to early Tuesday, October 10, 1871, killing hundreds and destroying about in Chicago, Illinois. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S...
, the residents nominated a local resident, Arne Ziegler of Chicago's Sauganash neighborhood, to lead a delegation to Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
. Meeting first with Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
governor Len Small
Len Small
Lennington Small was the 26th Governor of Illinois, serving from 1921 to 1929. He also served as a member of the Illinois state senate from the 16th District from 1901 to 1903 and was Illinois state treasurer, 1905–07 and 1917-19.Small was born in Kankakee County, Illinois.Lennington Small was...
and subsequently Republican governor Louis L. Emmerson
Louis Lincoln Emmerson
Louis Lincoln Emmerson was the Secretary of State of Illinois, 1917 to 1929. At the end of his term, he was elected the 27th Governor of Illinois, serving from 1929 to 1933. Emmerson was born in Albion, Edwards County, Illinois and died in Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois. He was buried at...
, the Ziegler delegation made progress in securing funding for upgrading the station.
The station was a frequent hideout of the notorious gangster Al Capone
Al Capone
Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone was an American gangster who led a Prohibition-era crime syndicate. The Chicago Outfit, which subsequently became known as the "Capones", was dedicated to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution, in Chicago from the early...
.
The Horner administration
DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
governor Henry Horner
Henry Horner
Henry Horner was the 28th Governor of Illinois, serving from 1933 to 1940, when he died in office. Horner was the first Jewish governor of Illinois.- Political biography :...
, a supporter of Downstate causes, blocked the Mayfair upgrades, famously declaring that the "wealthy Chicagoans can afford their own water." With this, upgrading of the station was stalled. It was only until the administration of Dwight H. Green
Dwight H. Green
Dwight Herbert Green was the 30th Governor of the US state of Illinois, serving from 1941 to 1949.- From childhood to early adulthood :...
that the station became upgraded.
The 1950s
Construction of the Northwest Tollway (now known as the Kennedy ExpresswayKennedy Expressway
The John F. Kennedy Expressway is a long highway that travels northwest from the Chicago Loop to O'Hare International Airport. The expressway is named for the 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedy. The Interstate 90 portion of the Kennedy is a part of the much longer I-90...
) in the mid-1950s required substantial relocation of sewer lines around the new thoroughfare. The Mayfair pumping station presented an additional engineering dilemma since these new sewers needed to go either under or over the large water mains that serve the station. An underground bridge, covered with earth fill, was constructed over the mains to carry the sewer lines.
Many of Chicago's surrounding suburbs, in particular Niles, Illinois
Niles, Illinois
Niles is a village in Maine and Niles Townships, Cook County, Illinois, United States. The 2010 population from the U.S. Census Bureau is 29,803.The current mayor of Niles is Robert M. Callero.-History:Niles was first settled in 1827....
and Morton Grove, Illinois
Morton Grove, Illinois
Morton Grove is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 22,451 at the 2000 census.The Village President of Morton Grove since April 27, 2009, is Daniel J...
, were in a period of rapid growth and required increasing amounts of water. After protracted battles with the City of Chicago Water Department, the Supreme Court of Illinois
Supreme Court of Illinois
The Supreme Court of Illinois is the state supreme court of Illinois. The court's authority is granted in Article VI of the current Illinois Constitution, which provides for seven justices elected from the five appellate judicial districts of the state: Three justices from the First District and...
ruled in 1957 that Chicago was required under the Illinois Constitution
Illinois Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Illinois is the governing document of the state of Illinois. There have been four Illinois Constitutions; the fourth and current version was adopted in 1970.-History:...
and certain intergovernmental contracts to supply water. This ruling paved the way for the development of these municipalities and for the growth of the greater Chicago metropolitan area generally north of Irving Park Road and west of Harlem Avenue.
The court's decision was vindicated when the 1961 Des Plaines, Illinois
Des Plaines, Illinois
Des Plaines is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It has adopted the official nickname of "City of Destiny." As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,720. It is a suburb of Chicago, and is next to O'Hare International Airport...
fire at Sears, Roebuck was able to be extinguished quickly with available hydrant
Fire hydrant
A fire hydrant , is an active fire protection measure, and a source of water provided in most urban, suburban and rural areas with municipal water service to enable firefighters to tap into the municipal water...
pressure, thus avoiding loss of life and significant property damage. Mayor Richard J. Daley
Richard J. Daley
Richard Joseph Daley served for 21 years as the mayor and undisputed Democratic boss of Chicago and is considered by historians to be the "last of the big city bosses." He played a major role in the history of the Democratic Party, especially with his support of John F...
, recognizing the significance of the station in this respect, commemorated the station in a 1962 Chicago City Council
Chicago City Council
The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 aldermen elected from 50 wards to serve four-year terms...
resolution.
Certain difficulties were presented by the construction of the Northwest Tollway.
1998 survey
The U.S. Water Conservation Laboratory completed a technical survey of water withdrawal from the station, finding the water quality and efficiency of pumping to be significantly above average for all U.S. pumping stations, including much newer facilities.Today
The station serves most of the northwest side of Chicago and several surrounding suburbs that purchase water from Chicago. Fourteen General ElectricGeneral Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
Hydro-Therminal pumps are in operation, each with an associated Pratt meter. The original steam-driven pumps have been replaced with electric pumps with a direct linkage to the Zion nuclear power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
plant.
The venturi
Aspirator
An aspirator, also called an eductor-jet pump or filter pump, is a device that produces vacuum by means of the Venturi effect. In an aspirator, fluid flows through a tube which then narrows. When the tube narrows, the fluid's speed increases, and because of the Venturi effect, its pressure...
s at the station do not have bronze throat-liners, unlike those at other Chicago-area pumping stations, but this is not reported to be a problem (B. Whalin, USDA-ARS Water Conservation Laboratory, written communication, October 11, 2000).
Controversy
Scandal erupted in the late 1990s when a former employee of the Mayfair Pumping Station alleged a failure to be promoted because of his lack of ties to the Democratic party. In an emotional decision, the dismissal of the employee's complaint was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the courts in the following districts:* Central District of Illinois* Northern District of Illinois...
.