*** Source: History and Business Directory of Humboldt County, Lillie E. Hamm, November 1890, Eureka, Cal. *** ---page 183--- [ad] J. E. MATHEWS, Agent for Daily, Weekly and Sunday EXAMINER [ad] HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 183 THE RICKS WATER COMPANY In 1886 Caspar S. Ricks sank four wells, each seven feet square and 35 feet deep, for the purpose of supplying his stores, dwellings and livery stables with water. But ere long the supply proved insufficient, and he increased their capacity by sinking in the center of each well a tublar shell twelve feet long. On July, 16, 1867, Mr. Ricks was granted a franchise to lay pipes throughout the city and supply the people with water. This was the first official water franchise issued in Eureka. The four wells with their increased capacity suppplied Eureka and its citizens until in 1884, when Mr. Ricks sank an additional well twenty-two feet square, and 47 feet deep. These combined wells enabled Mr. Ricks to furnish Eurekans with the necessary demand for all practical purposes. Soon after the death of Mr. Ricks the water works were purchased by the RICKS WATER COMPANY Who incorporated March 5, 1889. Operations were immediately commenced upon their improved water works system, and a pipe 13 inches in diameter was laid from the business center of Eureka to the "in-take" on Elk river, a distance of 5 1/2 miles. At this point the company have in full operation a magnificent "Duplex Compound Knowles Pump," with a capacity of one million five hundred thousand gallons per 24 hours. This "in-take" is located about six thousand feet from the Pumping Station. The operating machinery used in the Ricks Water Works are what is known as the Holly, or direct pumping system. The pumps are never idle, but are in continued use. The pressure in the main at no time ever falls below 65 pounds per square inch, and may at any time (necessity requiring it) be increased to 100 pounds. For instance, in case of fire a 100-pound pressure cannot be over-estimated in point of value, and this extra force can be gained at the ring of a telephone bell. The company have at present in actual supplying condition throughout the city and to the "in-take" on Elk river 84,480 feet, or over 16 miles of pipe. These pipes range from one to thirteen inches in diameter. The main pipe is laid direct to Elk river, where the company have constructed their "in-take" to draught the water from the river. This "in-take" is of itself an important feature. To better understand the nature of the "in-take" it will be necessary to state that it is the receptacle of the water after it (the water) has been filtered and purified. This "in-take" is sunk some ten feet below the bed of the river just back of the Showers place. The energy and enterprise, coupled with ingenuity, as displayed by the Ricks Water Company, can never be fully appreciated until a personal visit and inspection is had. In order to properly secure water in its purest state, the company have built a tunnel directly across the stream, of about fifty feet long, four feet deep and six feet wide under the bed of the river and immediately against the bulk-head of the "in-take", or purified water receptacle. This tunnel is bridged over with perforated sheet iron, and on top of this sheet-iron roof is [ad] Gibbard & Lever make a Specialty of Bedroom and Parlor Suits PIONEER B'DG, Cor. 3d and H Sts. [ad] ---end---