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If you love history, a trip to the Old Water Tower in Chicago is the perfect outing for you. The Old Water Tower is one of the few buildings in Chicago that survived the great Chicago fire of 1871. Standing out among the contemporary high-rise buildings in the area, the Old Water Tower is truly a sight to behold.

The Tower was build in 1869 with a rather Gothic style that seemed more suited for 13th century Europe than 19th century Chicago. With a central tower rising 154 feet into the sky, and several small towers surrounding the central peak, the Old Water tower resembled more of a castle than a water tower. Its unique limestone design appealed to Chicagoans and is one of the reasons it was able to survive the great fire that destroyed so much of the city.

After the fire, the Old Water Tower quickly became one of Chicago's favored landmarks and a symbol of the city. As technology advanced, the tower of course became obsolete and unable to keep up with the growing city. Even so, the pumping station still does pump some water for the city today.

In 1969 the Old Water Tower received the honor of becoming the first American Water Landmark by the American Water Works Association. This was during the centennial anniversary of the city of Chicago, and was a momentous occasion for residents that were proud to have the tower in their fine city. Since that time, the tower has become a major tourist attraction for those that visit Chicago.

Where is the Water Tower: 800 N. Michigan Avenue, near the John Hancock Center

How to get to the Water Tower: Subway to Chicago/State Stations on the red line




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