Ben Darrah Water Tank and Well House

The Ben Darrah Water Tank and Well House near Shoshone, Idaho, United States, were built in c. 1916 by stonemason Bill Darrah. They was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983; the listing included two contributing buildings on 1.3 acres (0.53 ha).[1]

Not to be confused with Darrah House and Water Tank House.

Ben Darrah Water Tank and Well House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Nearest city	Shoshone, Idaho
Coordinates	43°1′34″N 114°24′58″W
Area	1.3 acres (0.53 ha)
Built	1916
Built by	Bill Darrah
MPS	Lava Rock Structures in South Central Idaho TR
NRHP reference No.	83002364[1]
Added to NRHP	September 8, 1983

The water tank is round, constructed of rock walls about 12 feet (3.7 m) tall and 14 feet (4.3 m) in diameter. It is covered by a concrete-coated wood plank cover. It is one of Bill Darrah's earlier water tank works, and was built for his brother Ben Darrah's upper ranch.[2]

As of 1981 an Aermotor windmill tower and mechanism, non-functioning, rose from a well house in front of the water tank. Its survival is unusual among Darrah's works.[2]

The water tank and well house were deemed significant "both for their association with the development of sheep ranching in Lincoln County and for their lava rock craftsmanship."[2]

Bill Darrah also built a water tank for the Arthur D. Silva ranch a few miles closer to Shoshone, in the late 1910s.[3]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. "Idaho State Historical Society Inventory Sheet for Group Nominations: Ben Darrah Water Tank and Well House". National Park Service. Retrieved January 23, 2017. with photo from 1981
3. "Idaho State Historical Society Inventory Sheet for Group Nominations: Arthur D. Silva Water Tank". National Park Service. Retrieved January 22, 2017. with photo from 1981