AREA HISTORY:  Water Company, Hanover, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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THE WATER COMPANY – Page 590

The Water Company was organized April 25, 1872.  The source of supply is an 
excellent quality of chalybeate water, from “Gitt’s Spring,” on the southern 
slope of the Pigeon Hills, not far distant from a rich vein of iron ore, through 
which the water passes.  It is the ingredient known as protoxide of iron, that 
gives to this water its healthful and invigorating properties, and is much valued 
as a blood purifier.  The water is brought in six-inch iron pipes from the 
source, 18,000 feet northwest of Hanover.  The person who used every energy to 
organize the water company, was the late C. C. Wirt, who became the first 
secretary.  He also originated other needed public improvements in Hanover, but 
died early in life.  The engineer of the company was R. K. Martin, of Baltimore 
Water Works.  The reservoir is 200 feet above the highest point of the square, in 
which the beautiful fountain is now located.  An additional reservoir was built 
during the year 1884, near the first one, to increase the supply.  The original 
board of directors consisted of the following-named persons:  Joseph Dellone, 
president; C. C. Wirt, secretary; Henry Wirt, George W. Welsh, N. B. Carver and 
W. J. Young.