In 2009, dirt work began on the JewEllsworth Trail. The grading revealed a hidden “gem” in the trees and heavy brush just west of the train bridge. There in the thicket laid the original foundations for Jewell’s second and third water towers that date back to the early 1900’s. Following the completion of the JewEllsworth Trail, area residents wanted to stabilize the tower foundations while creating a rest/picnic area.

In September 2018, plans began for a park to be adjacent to the trail. A top priority was to preserve the foundations for the future. $34,500.00 was the estimated cost for the new park.

The city of Jewell matched a cash grant from the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation for $6,000. In kind donations were as follows, Hamilton County Secondary Roads for fill dirt, City of Jewell for grading and dirt finish work, the Lutter family from Jewell for a bike rack, Hamilton County Conservation for weed control.

The concrete approach and park area was completed by JA Concrete of Jewell.

LEFT: A placard in the new park area tells visitors about the history of the Ol’ Water Tower.

Organizers offered thanks to the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation for serving as an anchor for this project.

Jewell Historian Richard Steffen provided valuable historic information.