Chicago Water Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
The Chicago Water Tower
|
|
 Location in Near North Side, Chicago
|
|
| Location | 806 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois< United States |
|---|---|
| Built | 1869 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000644 |
| Added to NRHP | April 23, 1975 |
The Chicago Water Tower is a famous building in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is a special landmark that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site.
Built in 1869, the tower was made to hold a tall water pump. It became very well known because it survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Many buildings around it burned down, but the Water Tower stood strong.
A large shopping and living area called Water Tower Place was named after this historic tower.
Contents
What is the Chicago Water Tower?
The Chicago Water Tower is located at 806 Michigan Avenue. This is a busy shopping area called the Magnificent Mile in Chicago's Near North Side. It stands in a small park called the Jane M. Byrne Plaza.
The tower was built to house a huge water pump. This pump was designed to bring clean water from Lake Michigan into the city. Built in 1869, it is the second-oldest water tower in the entire United States. Only the Louisville Water Tower in Louisville, Kentucky is older.
Today, the Chicago Water Tower is no longer used for water. Instead, it serves as a small art gallery. It's called the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower. It shows art from local photographers, artists, and filmmakers.
History of the Chicago Water Tower
The tower was built in 1869 by an architect named William W. Boyington. He also designed the Soldiers' Home, another historic building in Chicago. The Water Tower is made from yellow-colored Lemont limestone. It stands about 182.5 feet (55 meters) tall.
Inside the tower, there was a 138-foot (42-meter) tall pipe called a standpipe. This pipe held water and helped control water pressure. It was important for everyday water use and for fire fighting. The tower worked with the nearby Chicago Avenue Pumping Station. Together, they pulled clean water from special structures called water cribs in Lake Michigan.
The Great Chicago Fire and the Tower's Survival
The Chicago Water Tower became very famous after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This huge fire destroyed much of Chicago. The Water Tower was the only public building in the burned area that survived. It is one of the few structures from that time that are still standing today.
It's interesting to note that the pumping station next to the tower stopped working during the fire. The roof of the pumping station caught fire and fell onto the pumps. This destroyed them and stopped the water supply needed to fight the blaze. So, while the tower itself survived, its partner building could not help stop the fire.
After the fire, the Water Tower was even used to store books for a short time. These books were donated by Queen Victoria and others to replace the ones that had burned.
The Tower as a Symbol of Chicago
In the years after the fire, the Water Tower became a symbol of old Chicago. It also represented the city's amazing recovery from the disaster. In 1918, when Pine Street was made wider, the city changed its plans. They wanted to make sure the Water Tower had a special and featured spot in the city.
The tower has been repaired and updated twice. The first time was between 1913 and 1916. During this period, many of the limestone blocks were replaced. The second renovation happened in 1978. This one mostly changed the inside of the building. In 2014, the small park where the tower stands was named after former Chicago mayor Jane Byrne.
Not everyone has loved the tower's look. The writer Oscar Wilde once said it looked like a "castellated monstrosity." But he did like the machinery inside. The tower's castle-like design actually inspired the look of some White Castle restaurant buildings. In 1969, the tower was named an American Water Landmark. It has also been featured in the finales of The Amazing Race 6 and The Amazing Race 29.
What the Tower Inspired
The unique design of the Chicago Water Tower influenced the look of White Castle fast-food restaurants. Their buildings often have similar octagonal supports, castle-like towers, and decorative walls.
See also
In Spanish: Torre del Agua de Chicago para niños
- Architecture of Chicago
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Central Chicago
- Water Tower Place
