The New Baltimore Water Towers (1902-1953) / (1948-2016)

Once emblazoned with "History Harbor, New Baltimore", the New Baltimore Water Tower was erected in 1948 by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Works for the winning bid of $25,000. It is 147ft tall and has a capacity of 100,000 gallons in the main tank, plus 18,000 gallons in it's riser pipe.

The tower had been out of active service since 1994, and was demolished in 2016.

This tower replaced the prior water tower that was erected in 1902 and demolished in 1953.

Henry Ford breaks land speed record (1904)

In January 1904, just 6 months after launching the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford brought one of his two 999 racers, the Arrow, to New Baltimore to promote his new business.

The Ford 999 was powered by an 18.9L Inline 4-cylinder engine with a bore of 7.25 inches and a stroke of 7 inches, producing 70-100 Horsepower.

A track was carved into the ice  in preparation for the event. With Henry Ford steering and his mechanic Spider Huff riding atop the engine operating the throttle, a new speed record was set when the 999 was clocked at an average of 91.37mph for the last mile of the bumpy course. 

Henry Ford celebrated afterwards at the nearby Chesterfield Hotel with a muskrat dinner.