Historic Hose Tower

The Hose Tower was built in 1891 and operated until 1972. After a fire, hoses were hoisted to the top of the tower to dry. Louvered openings near the roof allowed air to circulate, helping the wet hoses dry faster. Much of the original pulley system used to raise the hoses remains intact When a fire broke out, firefighters pulled hose reels by hand to the scene. Beside the tower is the pump house, where a well beneath the building was connected to the Saugeen River by a pipe. A wood-fired boiler and steam engine powered pumps that supplied water to 800 feet of water mains and six hydrants throughout the village. The Hose Tower is regularly open for summer tours. Step inside to see the original burlap hoses, hose reels and pulley system, and discover how Paisley’s firefighters battled fires more than a century ago!

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