Waterworks explosion

On January 25, 1893, the Nappanee Pump House exploded with terrible force and it was said the building was blown to atoms. Two men were killed and three badly cut and bruised. The force was so great that windows a block away were broken. Bricks and timbers were thrown in all directions. To provide emergency water needs, a portable engine was rigged to one pump and a temporary pump house was thrown up. In July 1893, a new waterworks and electric building was built.