Lawson Tower

Scituate, Massachusetts

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Challenge:

Lawson Tower has been a familiar and beautiful sight for Scituate residents since the early 1900’s when Thomas W. Lawson had the water tower built to cover a less attractive standpipe that was located behind his home, Dreamworld, in 1901. Lawson Tower is also known as the most photographed and expensive water tower in the world having been built at a construction cost of $60,000 and is thought to be modeled after a tower at the Stahleck Castle on the Rhine River in Germany or from a tower at a spa located at Bad Ems, Germany. Deterioration over the years led the City to pursue restoration efforts.

Solution:

CBI prepared design documents for the restoration, including the removal and replacement of all cedar shingles, copper flashing, new copper finials, waterproofing, repairs, and painting of the wood trim. All new work matched the original in every way. New shingles were applied “green” or wet so that they would conform to the tapered cylinder. All shingles at the base and roof were scribed to eliminate gaps between. Only stainless steel nails were allowed. Custom copper flashing was installed at all critical intersections.

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