Artesian Springs Water Tower

 Artesian Springs Water Tower is a neat and historic old tower on the border of Mill Creek and Murray. Not only is a neat water tower, but it is a neat old neon sign as well. It was an old laundromat, but is now a private apartment complex. Luckily the developer (either by choice, or force) kept the tower, and may have even restored it. This is not much of an adventure, but it is a neat, historical sign so I decided to give it it own post.

Quick Details:

Length: NA. Drive up and see
Trail Type: Drive up and see.
Difficulty: DR1, drive up and see.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: No
Dogs? As long as they stay in the car I don’t see why not.
Other Info: This is now within a private apartment complex, but can be viewed from one of the roads leading to it, as well as State Street.

To Get Here:

From i15 take 45th south east to State Street, turn left. Go about 4/10ths of a mile and you will see it on the left. You can get a little closer by turning left on Columbia Ave just north of it.

The Trail:

View from Columbia Avenue (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).

Getting closer on Artesian Well Lane, which leads into the apartments.

The Artesian Springs Water Tower in all it’s glory!

It is on the border between Millcreek and Murray, and technically in Millcreek, however the original owners claimed Murray, so Murray has kept it as part of their history. it was formerly known as the Murray Laundry Tower. And after the destruction of the iconic smelter stacks (formerly located at about 53rd and State, now a Hospital) now serves as the new iconic tower in Murray.

There are/were 9 artesian springs here. George Strike decided to move his laundry operation from downtown Murray to here, taking advantage of the springs. Even though now it was outside the boundaries of Murray, he retained the name of Murray Laundry. It opened in 1911.

Murray Laundry generated it’s own electricity and used 125,000 gallons of artesian well water a day. They expanded into several cities including Salt Lake City, Holladay, Midvale, American Fork, Park City, and Bingham Canyon. They struggles to keep up with demand.

So, in 1931 they built a 217,000 gallon tank, they were smart enough to use it as sort of early billboard to advertise their presence with an art deco neon sign on top. It was designed to withstand 60 MPH winds. The electric sign flashed “Rain Soft Artesian Water” in bright neon.

This location was robbed 3 times. 1n 1924, 1927, and 1932. All three robberies resulted in a total loss of $37 dollars (about $857.94 for inflation). The robberies remain unsolved.

Strike sold the Murray Laundry to Paramount in the 1950’s. They continued until the 1970’s when Dry Cleaning became favored over rain soft artesian water.

Stories circulated about it being haunted, so naturally in the 1980’s the March of Dimes Haunted House moved from the Old Mill in Cottonwood Heights to here, and was the largest spook alley in North America.

In the 2010’s developers bought the land, and the old buildings were cleared to make way for the apartments you see today. The owners spared the iconic tower and renovated it to it’s former glory with it’s new name: Artesian Springs.

I covered much of what it said, but you can learn a little more with this article form the Murray Journal (outside Link).

You know, I worked for March of Dimes' rival Rocky Point, which in the 90’s was just a bit further north. I wonder how I never really noticed this tower since my friends moved in to these apartments a few years back.

On the one hand, I am sad that Millcreek and to a lesser extent, Murray allowed the area around it to be developed, particularly this densely. On the other hand, I understand that some historic stuff just cannot be preserved without making these kinds of deals. Particularly in Utah when developers fill pockets and scratch backs.

The top, neon tower.

The tower again.

A little bit closer (PSP).

From State Street, on our way to our next destination of the day.

So, now down the rabbit hole hehe.

Using google maps, it looks like it does now back in July of 2018.

then here it is in April 2016. no apartments, and from what I can tell the original message:

Rain
Soft
A
r
t
e
s
i
a
n
Water
Murray
Laundry

Seriously, that is a big old tower, it boggles my mind I have never really noticed it, or if I did, don’t register it.

I thought I had an image I had taken of it after dark, when it is lit up, but I can’t find it right now. I will come back and add it when I do.

Well, that was a fun adventure down some of our local history. Its a neat tower, and I am happy to see that is has been restored. 9 squirrels out of 10, losing one for it being gated into private property.

As for difficulty, it is get out and see. DR1.

Dogs are allowed on public sidewalks.