“A castellated monstrosity with pepper boxes stuck all over it.” That is what Oscar Wilde said. He was talking about the Chicago Water Tower. The Chicago Water Tower stands tall. It is a landmark in the Old Chicago Water Tower District. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Chicago Water Tower was built in 1869. It enclosed the machinery of a water pump. The tower became well-known. It survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Buildings around it burned.
The Chicago Water Tower is at 806 North Michigan Avenue. That is along the Magnificent Mile shopping district. It sits in Jane M. Byrne Plaza. The tower housed a large water pump. It drew water from Lake Michigan. It is the second-oldest water tower in the United States. Louisville Water Tower came first.
Today, the Chicago Water Tower serves as a Chicago Office of Tourism. It also has a small art gallery. It is called the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower. It features local photographers, artists, and filmmakers.
Architect William W. Boyington built the tower. He used yellowing Lemont limestone. The Chicago Water Tower is 182.5 feet tall. Inside, there was a 138-foot standpipe. It held water. The pipe regulated water surges. It also helped with firefighting. The tower worked with the Chicago Avenue Pumping Station. Together, they drew clean water from Lake Michigan.
The Chicago Water Tower gained fame after the Great Chicago Fire. It was the only public building to survive in the burned area. A few other buildings survived too. The pumping station stopped working during the fire. Its roof caught fire. The pumps were destroyed. There was not enough water to stop the fire. The Chicago Water Tower structure itself survived.
The Chicago Water Tower has become a symbol of old Chicago. It shows the city’s recovery from the fire. In 1918, Pine Street was widened. Plans changed to feature the Water Tower.
The tower has been renovated twice. The first renovation was from 1913 to 1916. Many limestone blocks were replaced. The second renovation was in 1978. This mostly involved interior changes.
The small park around the tower was named for Mayor Jane Byrne in 2014.
Oscar Wilde admired the pumping machinery inside. The Water Tower’s style inspired White Castle restaurants. The Tower became an American Water Landmark in 1969. It was featured in The Amazing Race finales in 2004 and 2017.
The Chicago Water Tower stands as a reminder. It is a testament to resilience. It is a symbol of Chicago’s enduring spirit.