From the Archives: William the Janitor

Louisville Water Tower is the site of landmark research on water filtration. This well-known photograph of George Warren Fuller and his team, taken during the filtration tests, (1895–1897) always elicits questions on who the man in the middle of the back row is. He is known to us as only “William, the janitor.”

Louisville Water historian Jay Ferguson dug through the archives and said, “He most likely cleaned the laboratories and equipment and tended to other needs as Fuller requested. During the 19^th century, Black janitors were usually viewed as invisible and silent employees.”

Ferguson said, “The fact that he is included in this photograph speaks volumes on how others thought of him and his work; he was a valued member of the team.”