FREE Cistern History Tour

Learn about the architecture of this unique space and the history of Houston’s water system.

note: The tour starts at 5:00, we must be present at 5:00, there is no late entry once the tour starts they close the doors.

The Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park is a former drinking water reservoir built in 1926 for the City of Houston. As one of the city’s early underground reservoirs, it supported the municipal water system’s goals of fire suppression (water pressure) and drinking water storage. After operating for decades, an irreparable leak was discovered and after a few years, the reservoir was decommissioned in 2007.
In May 2016, Buffalo Bayou Partnership opened the Cistern to the public.

Fun Facts

87,500 square feet or the size of 1.5 football fields
221– 25-foot tall, slender concrete columns span the space
Holds 15 million gallons of water when functioning at capacity
8-inch thick concrete roof and 8– 18-inch thick concrete side walls
17-second echo
SWA Landscape Architect Kevin Shanley first called the reservoir “the Cistern” because it reminded him of the ancient Roman cisterns under Istanbul

***

Join us after the Cistern History Tour for some exercise too at our Elevation Training at Elenor Tinsley Park Event!

Event:

FREE Cistern History Tour

Event Cost:

Free

Where:

For Members Only

Meeting Place:

For Members Only

Address:

For Members Only