Greater Cincinnati Water Works Celebrates 200 Years

Mar 20, 2017

 (Cincinnati) – GCWW H200 Celebration
 

December 1788 is generally accepted as the time the first settlers permanently arrived in the area originally known as Losantiville. In 1790, Arthur St. Clair, governor of the Northwest Territory, renamed it Cincinnati in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati.
 

Where did they get their water?
John Robert Shaw dug the first well in Cincinnati in 1791 at Fort Washington. Before this time, the residents obtained their water from springs or directly from the Ohio River!


In the 1790’s, the sources of water supply were still springs on private property, or shallow dug wells, from which the consumer drew his water supply into a bucket or barrel and carried or hauled it to his home. From the late 1790's to the early 1800's, Cincinnati residents continued drinking spring and well water but most gathered their water from the river.
 

On March 31, 1817, the Cincinnati Manufacturing Company was granted exclusive rights to build a public water supply for the Town of Cincinnati for a term of 99 years and a payment of $100 per year.
 

This was the beginning of Greater Cincinnati Water Works.


Join GCWW as we celebrate our Bicentennial on Fountain Square on March 31, 2017,
and throughout the city, all year long!

Schedules, activity details, history and more can be found at H200.myGCWW.org

 

 

Events and activities:

You are invited to join GCWW’s H200 Celebration throughout 2017!

More details about the celebration available online at H200.myGCWW.org –
and catch all the updates on GCWW Social Media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CincinnatiWater

Twitter: @CincinnatiWater

 

  1. March 31, 2017 - 11:30am – 1:30pm

H200 Celebration at Fountain Square

JOIN GCWW as we kick off our 200 Year Celebration with the H20 to Booth, live
speakers, tour info and more!

 

  1. April 3, 2017 - Reds Opening Day Parade

Cheer on the Cincinnati Reds and GCWW as we unveil our H200 float in the Red’s Opening Day Parade!

 

  1. Two Tours Available - Museum and Treatment Process Tour & Old River Station Historical Tour
    Families, history enthusiasts, students, scout groups, etc. are welcome!
    For details or to schedule a tour, please visit H200.myGCWW.org  and www.cincinnatitriplesteam.org
     
  2. Contests for Students - “What does water mean to me?”

GCWW has partnered with local schools to bring awareness to students across the City.
Coloring Contest, Essay and Art Contests
For details and to submit work, go to H200.myGCWW.org
 

  1. Splash from the Past
    Follow our history online & help us create history by tagging #H200!