It has been an icon to the Andersonville neighborhood since it was painted with the Swedish flag years ago. But after last year’s severe winter, the water tower was greatly damaged due to the water inside freezing and compromising the structure perched atop the Swedish American Museum at 5211 N. Clark St.

Ellen Shepard, Executive Director of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, told EVB in a previous article “This water tower has been an icon of the neighborhood for years now. It has symbolized Andersonville and its cultural heritage.”

Now, a Swedish American Museum e-blast put out yesterday has officially announced that the tower cannot be saved due to the rough winter.

The old 27, 000 gallon tower which was built in 1926 for the then Lind Hardware store’s fire suppression system, will be taken apart. The Museum said in their e-blast, “The severely damaged tank is soon to be dismantled and its venerable timbers salvaged for commemorative uses. An alternative replica is being designed to replace the symbolic icon in the neighborhood that was once home to a large number of Swedish immigrants”.

A new fiber glass tower will most likely replace the old one and is currently being designed. To make this happen, the Swedish American Museum is trying to reach their fundraising goal of $150,000. Currently they have raised about $70,000.