Introduction

Water Works Park has a long and fascinating history. In 2005 the Macon Water Authority donated this historic water treatment plant to the community for the creation of a 180 acre public park.  In January 2009, the Park was dedicated as Amerson Water Works Park, in honor of Mr. Frank C. Amerson, Jr., for the key role he played in making this Park a reality. The development plans are complete and Amerson Water Works Park (AWWP) has become a community hub once again, bringing out more than 800 visitors during the weekends. AWWP currently hosts a handicap-usable playground, the only one of its kind in Middle Georgia, the Atlanta Gas Light Picnic Pavilion, canoe launch, and the Porter Pavilion.  Future plans include restroom facilities and a public boat launch. Amerson Water Works Park is unique to Middle Georgia as a community gathering place. The continuing efforts of NewTown Macon to improve the quality of life of its residents will also result in attracting new residents, businesses, and increasing tourism in the area.

AWWP is currently open from 9am-7pm every day of the week. Please contact call 722-9909 for more information on field trips and private rental opportunities.

For a more information about this park, please visit our Media Library.  You can download a more extensive history of the park and also view plans for its redevelopment.

Check back on the News page for exciting developments in the Water Works Park project.

Pre-History

Water Works Park is about to enjoy a revival, but its long history is testimony to its meaningful past as a community hub. Archeologists and anthropologists have identified several cultures that have enjoyed the hospitality of the Ocmulgee River region since as early as 9000 BC, the last Ice Age. These Ice Age hunters gave way to Woodland farmers who became the Mississippian Indians, also known as the Creek Indians. Early settlers had experience with these Indians and we have written record of these encounters as far back as the explorations led by Hernando DeSoto.

1500s

“...and then on Wednesday, the last day of March, they [riders of DeSoto’s expedition] arrived at the Great River [the Ocmulgee at Macon] where they [the Indians] had many canoes in which they crossed very well and arrived at the town of the Lord, who was one-eyed [at today's Ocmulgee National Monument], and he gave them very good food and fifteen Indians to carry the burdens. And as he was the first who came in peace, they did not wish to be tiresome. They were there Thursday, the first of April, and they placed a cross on the mound of his town and informed them through the interpreter of the sanctity of the cross, and they received it and appeared to adore it with much devotion." -- from a compilation of the reports and testimonies of Hernando DeSoto’s expedition’s survivors, written in 1540The inhabitants were changing right along with history. Sometime between 1540 and 1620 the Muscogee (Creek) Indians arrived and gained predominance in the area. By the time the first whites were settling the Macon area in the early 1800s, the Muscogees were the only tribe left. The people and time of the mounds on the Ocmulgee fields were already ancient history; mysterious and forgotten.

1800s

From the founding of Macon in 1823 until 1850 the only water available to citizens was from private and public water pumps plumbed into underground streams. Maconites would bring a bucket to the pump and work it by hand for all of the water they needed.In 1850 Macon’s first cistern was built atop Coleman Hill by Charles A. Ells. The water was pumped from a stream straight to his hotel and three other area hotels. In 1856 the first underground water pipes were run from a reservoir to T. C. Nisbet’s factory. Neither of these water resources was available to the public. What is remarkable is that thirty years later Nisbet’s lines would be excavated and the new public water supply lines would lie in the same place.In 1853 Macon Gas and Light Company was chartered. Just before 1857 it began offering water service to a few citizens by pumping water from the stream at Coleman Hill. In 1876, Macon Gas and Light changed its name to Macon Gas, Light and Water, and began its role as the provider of water services. The company built a state of the art facility and named it ‘Waterville’. The grounds were beautifully landscaped and the facility consisted of a circular pump house and a large pine building with a slate roof. It was publicly dedicated on June 6, 1881. According to the news of the time, the residents were quite amazed by the facility. Sadly, the venture was not a successful one, and by 1890 it had been sold to an out of state company.Fortunately, the city of Macon had been experimenting with a method of water purification called the Morrison- filtration system. The results were astounding. Finally a method for making the Ocmulgee River’s water fit for human consumption was at hand.With the plant updated with the new filtration capabilities, it became the Riverside Drive Water Plant. The water plant again became a central gathering place for residents of Macon.

1900s

Macon Gas, Light and Water continued to provide the city with water through the end of its contract in 1912. At that time the city of Macon decided to purchase the utility. The new city owned water company operated under the authority of the elected Board of Water Commissioners. The Commissioners invited the public to enjoy the grounds and picnic areas the water park had to offer. Again, it was returned to a beautiful gathering place.In the 1930s the plant underwent renovations and expansion to both support the war efforts and the local training bases, and also to support the growing population and industrial growth.In 1944 a large maintenance shop was built and in 1953 the latest technology was realized with the installation of an advanced raw water pumping station. The foundation of the pumping station rested on solid rock. The Water Commission had insured the needs of the city could be met by that facility for another hundred years. Sadly the entire facility was devastated by floods in the 1990s and by 1994, it was not functional.In 1979, the state passed legislation requiring representation on the Water Authority by districts. In 1992 the Macon-Bibb County Water & Sewerage Authority was renamed The Macon Water Authority (MWA), and it serves Macon and Bibb county under that name still.

Future Plans

NewTown Macon has big plans for Water Works Park. By the summer of 2010 the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail anticipates the construction of a gatehouse, additional picnic pavilions, lighting and a myriad of other improvements. Check out the Trail Progress page for a schedule of planned construction at Water Works Park.