Chicago Water Tower

73

59

The Gothic Revival watertower was built in 1869, a time when such watertowers were architectural marvels instead of urban blights. It was used to hide the less attractive standpipe - and this particular standpipe was pumping water from Lake Michigan. Contrary to popular belief, it was not the only building to survive the Great Fire of 1871 in Chicago but it was certainly the most recognizable.

Architecture • History