More than 140 years have passed since the death of the first mayor of Murom, Aleksey Vasilyevich Ermakov, and his good deeds are still alive today.
Brief history and description
For example, a water tower located at the intersection of st. Lenin and Soviet, is rightfully considered one of the main attractions of the city, and the city water supply system laid in the 19th century became one of the first in those days, there was no water supply even in the district center - in Vladimir.
Local legend claims that once while walking, Alexey Vladimirovich met a woman who was carrying water in buckets on curved rockers, climbing a steep mountain. She complained that it was difficult to carry water from the springs, and then the governor came up with the idea to build a water supply system in the city of Russia. In May 1863, at the invitation of Yermakov, the famous engineer Yegor Ivanovich Yerzhemsky came to Murom, who developed the design and estimate documentation and helped order German-made cast iron pipes. On July 11, 1863, the foundation was laid for the water tower... At its base, a memorial plate was placed with an inscription, which says that the foundation of the tower took place during the reign of Emperor Alexander II, with funds donated by the mayor A. V. Ermakov, and "in memory of this useful institution" the building will be called the tower of Mr. Ermakov. " On August 26, 1864, the solemn opening of the Murom water pipeline took place.
In the presence of the Governor of Vladimir - Suzdal, Bishop Feofan made a procession to the chapel at the water pump, blessed the water and served a prayer service at the water tower. After the prayer and the words uttered by the bishop: "There will be waters on the mountains," Oka water poured out of the pipe, filling the bowl to the brim, located at the bottom of the tower. At that time, boats were shooting on the Oka, and in the evening the holiday ended with magnificent illumination. The water supply system covered not only government buildings, but also private houses. By handing over the water supply to the city, Ermakov forbade it to be leased for the purpose of making a profit and allowed all residents of Murom to use water from columns and fountains free of charge. Watering holes for horses were arranged in 16 water-folding booths. High-quality waterworks have not required repair for over 50 years. In addition to cast iron structures, water was supplied through wooden pipes. Their advantage was that the wood does not corrode. IN Murom History and Art Museum a piece of wooden pipe is still kept.
The water tower is a historical relic
Currently, some structures have survived from the first Murom water supply system: a water tower, a water pumping station with mechanisms of the 19th century and a water column on the street. May Day, which now houses the chapel. The three-story brick tower, which combined the functions of a water pumping station and a sentry fire tower, was decorated with patterned turrets on the top and crowned with a superstructure with a spire. Three rows of windows are framed with carved frames. In 1974, a large city clock appeared on the tower, every hour playing the melody "There were three pines on the Murom path ...". Their game did not allow sleep, and after numerous complaints from the townspeople, the chimes were turned off. In the 19th century, residents of Murom recognized the weather forecast by the color of the flag hung on the tower. For example, a dark flag meant that the frost in the city reached minus 30 °. This was good news for the students, as gymnasium classes were canceled at this temperature.
View of the Murom water tower from Lenin street
In 2008, on the day of the 1146th anniversary of Murom, the water tower regained its original meaning: water flowed from its taps. But it comes here not from the Oka, but from an artesian well. An iron removal station has been installed in the tower, and the residents of Murom note that this water is soft, purified and you can drink it without boiling.
