Top Attractions of Chicago - Old Water Tower Old Water Tower and Pumping Station

The Water Tower and nearby pumping station were the only two buildings in downtown Chicago that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1781 which razed the whole city to the ground.

 

 

 

Water Tower

 

Old Water Tower and Pumping Station

 

Magnificent Mile seen from City Place

 

 

The Tower is situated at 800 N. Michigan Avenue, at the center of Magnificent Mile, and contrasts sharply with nearby modern buildings such as John Hancock Center and Water Tower Place.

Castle Design

Constructed in 1869 using big limestone blocks, the Chicago Water Tower, with all its small neo-gothic towers resembles more a tiny European medieval castle than a water tower. It was designed by architect William W. Boyington and houses a 40 meter standpipe which was used to equalize the pressure of the water pumped from the adjacent pumping station. The tower reaches a height of 154 ft or 47 meter and towered over all the neighboring buildings. Today it is dwarfed by the many skyscrapers surrounding the tower.

Water Pump

The pumping system was built to provide the city with clean water, pumped from intake bins that were located in Michigan Lake. Until then the city retrieved water from basins along the shoreline which were polluted with water from the Chicago River, which at the time was in fact used as an industrial sewage.

 

 

Water Tower at night

 

The plan was not a great success since the bins eventually became polluted as well. The problem was only solved at the end of the 19th century after the direction of the Chicago river was reversed. The tower became functionally obsolete in 1906.

Water Landmark

Since its survival of the Great Fire, the Water Tower became one of the city's most famous icons as it symbolized Chicago's resilience. It was threatened with demolition several times - in 1906, 1918 and 1948 - but it was saved each time thanks to a public outcry. The tower was eventually restored in 1962.
In May of 1969, during the year of its centennial anniversary, the Chicago Water Tower was selected by the American Water Works Association to be the first American Water Landmark.
Today the tower is one of the most important historic attractions in Chicago. It houses a gallery which showcases works from local photographers.