Also known as: Old Chicago Water Tower Built: 1867-1869 Designed by: William W. Boyington Renovated: 1913-1916 Renovated: 1978 Type: Museum Stories: 4 Maximum Height: 138 feet / 42 meters Location: 806 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, United States
I n the middle of a city known for its towers of glass and steel stands a tower made of stone that looks out of place. The Old Water Tower looks like an oversized set decoration from some Elizabethan play. But this isn't knights slaying dragons, this is the city slaking its thirst. Before electric water pumps were invented, the city's drinkig water came ashore from Lake Michigan thanks to inventions known as Corliss engines. These trapped water several miles offshore and moved the water into the city via an undersea tunnel. The system worked, but was not without its flaws. There were vast fluctuations in water pressure, and this immense tower was designed to regulate that. Behind the neo-gothic facade is a 138-foot-tall standpipe that helped control the city's water pressure. Electric water pumps have long since made the Corliss engines redundant, so now the tower regulates the city's flow of tourists. Since the 1970's it has served as a tourist information office.
The limestone for the tower was quarried in nearby Joliet, Illinois.
Jackie
Thursday, April 30th, 2009 @ 6:51pm
Rating: Five stars. This is the best tower i have ever seen it looks like a tower from the medievil times i wish i lived HERE ITS SO PRETTY
Brent Kampert
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 @ 2:06pm
Rating: Five stars. This is a neat Water Tower. I like how it started to get Chicago to thinking of how to make new skyscrapers and the world, after the Great Fire of 1871.
Lisa Hemingway
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 @ 1:16pm
Rating: Five stars. This architectual beauty is the highlight of Chicago's vast array of city structures. thisold is definately a landmark beauty!
Mark Luehmann
Sunday, July 6th, 2008 @ 4:22pm
Rating: Five stars. A majestic classic. Chocago is worthy of her.
rafe
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007 @ 8:53pm
Rating: Five stars. I will always have great memories of this wonderful structure. The Prudential Building was the tallest structure whhen I firstvisited Chicago
David Shmuel
Saturday, July 28th, 2007 @ 12:22am
Rating: Five stars. A masterpiece and the ultimate symbol of Sweet Home Chicago.
David A. Miley
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2005 @ 10:10am
It is one of only five structures in the path of the Great Chicago Fire to escape the fire's destruction.
Peter
Sunday, May 15th, 2005 @ 3:43pm
Rating: Five stars. Its an amazing site to see.
c. nora
Sunday, January 2nd, 2005 @ 11:43pm
Rating: Five stars. breathtaking; a chicago clasic
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Jackie
Five stars.
Brent Kampert