Prospect Park Water Tower

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The Prospect Park Water Tower, also known as Tower Hill Tower or the Witch’s Hat, is a historic landmark in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Southeast Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was built in 1913–1914 on Tower Hill Park, which was established in 1906, and was designed by architect Frederick William Cappelen in a playful revival style.

The tower sits on a hill almost 1,000 feet above sea level, one of the highest spots in the Twin Cities. It features a thick concrete shaft, an open-air observation deck, and a distinctive green ceramic-tile roof that gives it the “hat” nickname. A small pump house sits nearby, with tennis courts and curving streets of the surrounding park and neighborhood.

The tower and park were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 for their significance in architecture, community planning and development, and engineering. In 2015 they were listed as contributing properties to the Prospect Park Residential Historic District.

Tower Hill Park marks the northern edge of Prospect Park, a hilly residential area. The 4.7-acre park is bordered by University Avenue, Clarence Avenue, Seymour Avenue, Orlin Avenue, and Malcolm Avenue. The area is mostly quiet residential streets with wooded upper areas and grassy lower areas.

The water tower was built to improve water pressure for firefighting. Cappelen gave it a whimsical look with the green-tiled roof, earning the nickname Witch’s Hat. It has long been a neighborhood symbol and a favorite spot for picnics, winter sledding, and artistic inspiration. From the observation deck, people could enjoy views of the city.

The tower stopped functioning as a water tower in 1952 but remained a beloved landmark. In 1955 residents saved it from demolition after a lightning strike. Since the late 20th century, the observation deck has been opened only once a year for community events like an ice-cream social. It was last opened during Doors Open Days in 2019; a stair step broke during that event, so it has not reopened as of 2023. A city study estimated reopening costs from about $50,000 to $1.3 million, depending on the scope of repairs.