Savery Savory Mushrooms Water Tower

North of Denver, in the city of Westminster, there sits one of the most unusual water towers you will ever see. Basically, it looks like a giant can of mushrooms. It is the only thing that remains of a large mushroom farm and cannery that operated in this spot for 30 years, from 1923 to 1953.

The operation was the brainchild of Colorado's "Mushroom Magnate" Charles William Savery. Savery moved to the Denver area in 1909, but he was originally from Chester County, Pennsylvania, which is the heart of mushroom country. In fact, at this time, 80% of the country's mushroom crop came from Pennsylvania. The cool and humid air of that region is perfect for mushrooms. Now, if you've spent any time in Colorado, you probably know that we don't have that same level of humidity. Our dry climate is not really suited to mushrooms, but that didn't stop Savery. Though the first few years of his operation were a failure, he returned to Pennsylvania to learn all he could and eventually turned his Colorado mushroom operation into a success.

The 80-acre farm was a big operation, and in many ways was its own little community. There were well over 40 structures, including residences, a general store, and a schoolhouse. Most of the over 80 laborers were Mexican immigrants, with men, women, and children all working on the farm.

The water tower was an important feature of the farm, as the nearby irrigation canals were not at all adequate for the water needs of the farm. In the years since the farm shut down, the water tower had its share of difficult times. However, the city of Westminster restored the tower to its original look back in 2006. Now the tower stands above a subdivision of relatively new houses. 

It is easy to spot the tower as you drive by on Federal Blvd. Luckily, there is a small parking area just a bit south of the tower, with a path that leads to it and even a sign that details some of the history of the mushroom farm. 

You'll find the water tower about a quarter of a mile south of the intersection of 112th and Federal in Westminster.