"I imagine the buildings were 'overbuilt' to take the weight of those tanks, no? "
QUOTE Mustapha.
The only Fire Protection Water Tank that we ever had was the one at 68 - 70 Broadview Avenue. It was at the top of the east staircase, later
being moved to it's present empty location atop the building's south east extention. I had a pic taken of it with the demo torch-cutter a I standing
on it's surrounding walkway but , but, but, no one at the office can find it now.
Massey - (Harris) Ferguson had a huge in - ground tank just south of King Street at Crawfofd, it being the tender of a Corliss Steam Engine Fire Pump.
The E W Gillett Co (Magic Baking Powder) had a 75,000 Gal in - ground tank below what is now The Roastery Coffee Shop, with the steam
driven pump located in it's more southerly building.
The demise of the water tanks were due to a consistent and large volume of water being made available throughout the city mains, they serving
for both domestic & Fire Protection.
FWIW, the above E W Gillett Plant was the only building (in this city?) that not only had a 7" main shut off valve, but also no Fire System pump - up! (EVER)
Regards,
J T