A bit of Bluffton history is disappearing this week. Demolition of original 1896 drinking water storage basins at 111 Triplett Drive (north of Steinmetz soccer field) is being razed.
The following information from Nathan Jordan: Rebar in walls was large diameter and closely nested, as one would expect to see. Rebar in roof (now resting on the bottom) was narrow, as if drawn through a die-like wire or cable. Reportedly, the poured roof sections were added somewhere around the 1940s.
Odd that newer concrete would have rebar of an unusual type, but the original walls would present modern building practices. Additionally, some of the roof support columns are square, and were obviously formed with plywood and planks, but others are cylindrical, and look like modern cardboard tubes were used.
