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Historic Water Tower

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Chicago Historic Water Tower

806 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

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Chicago - The City Through Your Eyes

Chicago Water Tower

Let’s dive into the architectural marvel that is the Chicago Water Tower, exploring its rich history, resilience against the Chicago Fire, and significance as a cultural landmark in the city of Chicago. Through this journey, readers will gain insight into how this landmark has shaped the city’s landscape and identity.

The Architectural Grandeur of the Chicago Water Tower

Designed by William W. Boyington, the Chicago Water Tower is a masterpiece of the Gothic Revival style, a movement that sought to bring the grandeur of medieval architecture into the modern age. This aesthetic choice was both a nod to the past and a statement of the city’s forward-thinking attitude towards infrastructure and public buildings. The tower’s distinctive use of yellow Joliet limestone not only made it a visual standout at its completion in 1869 but also highlighted Chicago’s commitment to combining utility with architectural beauty.

• Gothic Revival Style : Embracing the medieval past through its design.
• Yellow Joliet Limestone : A choice that balances durability with aesthetic appeal.
• Height : Stands at 154 feet, offering a fairy-tale silhouette against the Chicago skyline.

The Water Tower’s design, featuring an octagonal shaft and a cupola of steel and copper, showcases an attention to detail that was rare for utilitarian buildings of the time. Its construction in five distinct sections, with the base measuring 40 feet square, demonstrates a blend of form and function that was ahead of its time. Located at 806 N. Michigan Avenue, the tower’s presence on the Magnificent Mile provides a stark contrast to the surrounding modern buildings, serving as a reminder of Chicago’s resilience and architectural innovation.

A Survivor of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871

The Chicago Water Tower, completed just two years before the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 , stands as a testament to the city’s resilience and architectural ingenuity. This historic structure not only survived the fire but also became a symbol of the enduring spirit of Chicago. Its survival is attributed to the efforts of Frank Trautman, a German immigrant fireman, who ingeniously protected the tower and the adjacent pumping station with wet woolen blankets and discarded canvas sails. This act of bravery ensured that the Water Tower remained as one of the few structures to withstand the devastation, marking it as a beacon of hope and recovery for the city.

• Historical Significance : One of the few remnants of Old Chicago, linking the city to its pre-fire history.
• Symbol of Resilience : Represents Chicago’s ability to rebuild and thrive post-disaster.
• Architectural Preservation : A contributing property in the Old Chicago Water Tower District, highlighting its importance in architectural heritage.

Despite the destruction that engulfed much of the city, the Chicago Water Tower emerged as a central figure in the narrative of the Great Chicago Fire. It gained prominence as the only public building in the burned zone to survive, subsequently becoming a memorial to the city’s resilience and rebuilding efforts. This iconic structure’s continued existence serves as a reminder of Chicago’s capacity to overcome adversity, making it a cherished landmark and an American Water Landmark since 1969. Its story of survival and significance in the city’s recovery underscores the Water Tower’s impact on Chicago’s cultural and historical landscape.

The Transformation into a Cultural Beacon

Transforming from a historical edifice to a vibrant cultural beacon, the Chicago Water Tower has undergone significant changes. Today, it houses the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower, showcasing local photographers and artists’ work. This gallery, open to the public with free admission, is a testament to Chicago’s thriving arts scene.

• City Gallery Exhibitions : Features local talent in photography, art, and filmmaking.
• Water Tower Arts District : A coalition of 15 cultural organizations, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the International Museum of Surgical Science, fostering collaboration and highlighting the area’s cultural richness.
• Accessibility and Hours : The gallery is easily accessible by CTA, welcoming visitors Monday–Friday, 10am–7pm, and Saturday–Sunday, 10am–5pm, excluding holidays.

Moreover, the Water Tower Arts District aims to reshape the Water Tower’s perception from merely a historical or shopping landmark to a cornerstone of cultural activity. This district, through its array of notable institutions, encourages collaboration and cultural exchange, enriching Chicago’s cultural landscape. The Water Tower’s transformation underscores the city of Chicago’s commitment to arts and culture, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists.

Beyond the Landmark: The Water Tower’s Impact on Chicago

The Chicago Water Tower, beyond its architectural beauty and historical significance, has deeply impacted the city of Chicago in various ways.

• Designated the first American Water Landmark in 1969, emphasizing its importance in American history.
• Listed as a Chicago Landmark in 1971, underlining its cultural and architectural value to the city.
• Its castle-like style influenced the design of some White Castle restaurant buildings, showcasing its impact beyond mere utility.
• 1913-1916 and 1978 Renovations : These updates ensured the tower remained a functional part of the city’s infrastructure and a well-preserved historical site.
• Transition from Utility to Symbol : Initially built to house a standpipe system, it became functionally obsolete by 1906 but evolved into a symbol of resilience and architectural innovation.
• Integral part of the water supply system, drawing clean water from Lake Michigan.
• Played a crucial role in firefighting efforts and regulating water surges, highlighting its importance in the city’s development and safety measures.

The Chicago Water Tower’s journey from a functional part of the city’s early water distribution system to a treasured landmark encapsulates its multifaceted impact on Chicago. Its survival from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to becoming a beacon of hope and architectural marvel demonstrates its enduring legacy.

As a bastion that stood unwavering in the face of the Great Fire of 1871, the tower not only highlights Chicago’s architectural advancement but also serves as a historical marker of the city’s indomitable spirit. This journey through its history underscores the Water Tower’s significance not just as a physical landmark, but as a living reminder of Chicago’s capacity to evolve and thrive amidst challenges.

Moreover, the Chicago Water Tower’s role in fostering the city’s cultural richness, through the City Gallery and the surrounding Water Tower Arts District, attests to its continued influence beyond its initial purpose. By housing artistic expressions and serving as a nucleus for cultural endeavors, the tower reiterates the city’s commitment to celebrating arts and heritage. Through this lens, the Water Tower stands as a testament to Chicago’s resilience, architectural ingenuity, and cultural depth, maintaining its relevance and import in the heart of the city.

What makes the Chicago Water Tower a notable landmark?

The Chicago Water Tower is renowned for being one of the few surviving structures after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Its endurance has become a symbol of the resilience and determination of Chicago, often referred to as the city’s “I Will” spirit. Today, it houses the City Gallery, an art gallery operated by the City of Chicago.

Is the Chicago Water Tower currently operational?

While the Chicago Water Tower is no longer used for its original purpose, it currently serves as the location for the Chicago Office of Tourism’s art gallery.

Are visitors permitted to enter the Chicago Water Tower?

Visitors can enter the historic Water Tower to appreciate its architecture and visit the art gallery, but climbing the tower itself is not allowed.

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This 154ft-tall, turreted tower is a defining city icon: it was the sole downtown survivor of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, thanks to its yellow limestone bricks, which withstood the flames. Today the tower houses the free City Gallery , which is well worth a peek for its Chicago-themed works by local artists.

Built in 1869, the tower and its companion Water Works Pumping Station were constructed in a Gothic style popular at the time. They were the great hope of Chicago when they first opened, part of a technological breakthrough that was going to provide fresh, clean water for the city. Alas, the plan was ultimately a failure. By 1906 the Water Tower was obsolete and only public outcry saved it from demolition three times. Restoration in 1962 ensured its survival.

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Chicago’s Symbol of Hope: the Historic Water Tower

The historic Water Tower stands tall above Michigan Avenue. Learn the story behind this Living Landmark.

The historic Water Tower stands tall above Michigan Avenue. Learn the story behind this Living Landmark.

This story is featured in Living Landmarks of Chicago , a fascinating book that brings landmarks to life. Get your copy today!

In a city of symbols, the one that most emphatically says “Chicago” is the historic Water Tower.

One of the few buildings to remain standing after the great Chicago fire, the tower and pumping station are portrayed as representatives of the city’s indomitable spirit. Their symbolism goes deeper than surviving the fire, though.

Sixty-four feet deeper.

It didn’t take long after Chicago incorporated for its citizens to realize they had a water problem. With a river flowing around and through the city into an inland sea, you’d think water would be the least of their worries. However, that river, and the fact that it emptied into the lake, was precisely the issue.

When the town began, its riparian location probably seemed perfect. Well, not exactly perfect. There was that whole stinky swamp issue.

But easy access to fresh water was certainly a selling point. Not only could they drink it and bathe with it, but they could also dump stuff into it – like trash, offal, and sewage – and watch it flow right into that giant body of water, never to be seen again.

Using the river as a dumpster seemed like a good idea at the time, but the population kept growing. In 1842 there were 4,500 residents. In 1851, 35,000. And by 1860, more than 100,000 people lived in Chicago. All of them needed to drink water, and all of them put things, dirty things, back into the water. 

City officials realized early on the need for water works, and in 1842 they hired a private firm to build a pumping station to pull fresh water in from Lake Michigan. This firm installed the station at Michigan Avenue and Lake Street with a pipe that extended 150 feet into the lake.

That wasn’t nearly far enough. Not only did trains soon begin bringing people by the carload, they also brought livestock. Industries, like Cyrus McCormick’s reaper manufacturing plant, set up shop along the river. There were flour mills, grain elevators, and packing houses.

It was a free-for-all of expansion, and all of the residential and industrial waste stagnated in the streets until it went right into the drinking supply. 

Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

In 1851, the city built its own water works, moving the pumping house to Chicago Avenue and Pine Street and installing a 600-foot pipe. They thought – get this – that their new system would sustain them for another 15 years, which is when they projected the population would reach 100,000. 

They hit that number in nine, and even a second pumping station in 1857 couldn’t stem the tide of typhoid fever, diarrhea, cholera, and other water-borne diseases. 

Ellis Chesbrough, to the rescue. 

He’d already convinced Chicagoans to raise their city by ten feet, which would be no easy task now, let alone in the 1850s. His plan was to build the brick sewers above ground level, cover them, and raise the existing buildings to the new street level. Gravity would then work its magic.

His system worked to get the sewage out of the street, for the most part, but it still dumped all that excrement and filth into the river, which went into the lake, which was pumped into the city so people could drink it. 

They needed a new pumping station, and this time, they were serious. Chesbrough proposed a two-mile tunnel leading to a water intake crib.

Remember, this was in the 1860s, and his proposal meant digging a tunnel sixty-four feet below the surface of the lake that would connect the crib, itself a massive undertaking, to a brand new pumping station. But hey, if Chicagoans could raise a city by ten feet, they could do this. It took a little less than three years to complete the tunnel and crib.

Next up was the Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station. The city tapped prolific architect William W. Boyington to design the complex.

Mr. Boyington had a thing for Medieval castles and he decked out his tower with buttresses, battlements, turrets, parapets, and spires. Cloaked in pale yellow Joliet limestone, when the structures were completed they fairly screamed GOTHIC! 

One 19th century celebrity hated Boyington’s design. At an appearance in Chicago in 1882, Oscar Wilde sputtered: “Your Water Tower is a castellated monstrosity with pepperboxes stuck all over it. I am amazed that any people could so abuse Gothic art and make a structure not like a water tower but like a tower of a medieval castle. It should be torn down.” Most people loved it, though. Lady Duffus Hardy, a British novelist and travel writer who visited two years before Wilde, wrote: “The new water works are the most beautiful illustrations of the vagaries of the architectural brain. . . . Never were so many cupolas and buttresses, pinnacles and towers grouped together on one spot; none but a true artist could have arranged them into so harmonious a whole.” After a visit in 1928, when White Castle founders Walt Anderson and Billy Ingram opened their first Chicago store, they designed the franchise to resemble the iconic tower. 

The city was ready. In addition to wanting water that wouldn’t kill them, they also wanted it to be fish-free. A tongue-in-cheek article in the Chicago Daily Tribune from January 14, 1867 said: “…those who have had small fish brought to their houses several times a day, gratis, will be obliged to patronize fish markets, and pay for all the fish they carry away.”

On March 25, 1867, the city celebrated the formal inauguration of the Great Lake Tunnel with a parade and a cornerstone ceremony. In 1869, the water works opened by the shores of Lake Michigan.

Two years later, the Chicago Avenue Water Tower became a symbol of the city’s spirit for another reason, the reason Chicagoans think of today: Boyington’s Joliet limestone survived the Great Chicago Fire.

At 182 and a half feet, the tall tower was a beacon of hope during reconstruction. 

Despite all of the expense, effort, and innovation, the water works could only be used for another ten years before another tunnel was needed. Engineers finally realized that reversing the flow of the river would be the only way to fix Chicago’s water woes. That happened in 1899, and by 1906, although the pumping station could still be used, the Chicago Avenue Water Tower was obsolete.

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The tower may have survived the fire, but it still wasn’t safe. Over the years there would be calls to tear the tower down, but each time the public was able to preserve it. There was even talk of moving the tower, but preservationists, including the Chicago Historical Society , stepped in to stop that nonsense. They convinced the city to reroute Michigan Avenue to keep the cherished landmark right where it is. 

There’s no need to worry about future threats. In 1969, the Chicago Water Tower became the first water works to be designated as an American Water Landmark. In 1971 it became a Chicago Landmark, and in 1975 both the tower and pumping station were inscribed to the National Register of Historic Places.

Historic Water Tower and Pumping Station Today

The historic water tower is surrounded by soaring buildings now, but it still stands tall and represents a city that simply will not give up. Inside, the tower contains the City Gallery. This is a free gallery in the wide base of the tower that features the work of local photographers and artists and is open seven days a week.  Temporarily closed.

Across Michigan Avenue, the pumping station is doing what Chesbrough imagined back in the 1860s, and a little more. In addition to bringing in fresh water (from much further out in Lake Michigan), the nationally-recognized Lookingglass Theatre presents plays and musicals inside the historic building.

Chicago Water Tower; 806 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL  60611, chicago.gov Chicago Pumping Station; 821 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL  60611

Chicago Water Tower

Official Name

Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station

806 N. Michigan Ave.

Completion Date

Neighborhood.

Near North Side

Infrastructure

William W. Boyington

Gothic Revival

An argument can be made that the iconic Chicago Water Tower is overbuilt.

After all, the ornate castellated  Gothic Revival structure was really only built to hide a simple standpipe. Even so, its intricate design serves as a perfect illustration of the value and importance the city put on infrastructure and water supply during the late 19th century. Today it’s seen as an investment made to solve crucial water supply issues brought about by the city’s rapid growth.

Designed to meet a civic need

By the 1860s, Chicago’s water supply was inadequate for its growing population. To solve the problem, Chief Engineer Ellis S. Chesbrough looked to Lake Michigan. Near-shore lake water was too polluted to be used because of runoff from the Chicago River. This prompted an innovative solution. Chesbrough designed a water supply tunnel system running nearly two miles offshore to an intake crib. When the tunnel was completed in 1867, lake water was pumped back to shore through a pumping station. Because the original pumps produced pressure surges and pulsation in the water, a standpipe system was added in 1869. William Boyington designed both the pumping works building on the opposite side of Michigan Avenue (then Pine Street) and the Water Tower that houses the standpipe. Both buildings were built with distinctive yellow Joliet limestone , a very popular building material in the city at the time. Built in Boyington's signature castellated Gothic Revival style, the buildings look like something out of a fairy tale.

You may have heard...

It’s a common myth that the Chicago Water Tower was the only building that remained standing after the Great Fire of 1871. In truth, it only became the most iconic structure left standing. Though large sections of the south and west sides of the city were never touched by the Fire, the Water Tower became a rallying point for the city. It stood as a symbol for a city determined to rise from its own ashes.

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Five little-known facts about the iconic Chicago Water Tower

The historic Chicago Water Tower is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2019

The Chicago Water Tower is turning 150 this month and the city is celebrating its sesquicentennial in style.

A day-long festival at the Near North Side neighborhood around the 150-year-old structure at 806 N. Michigan Avenue is set for Saturday, September 14 and more than 25 five-foot custom replicas are being temporarily installed along North Michigan Avenue.

Though it’s an iconic symbol representing the city’s post-Great Chicago Fire resilience, the Water Tower’s true history remains shrouded in mystery or misinformation. Here are five facts you probably didn’t know about the Gothic revival style tower built in 1869 from Joliet limestone by architect William Boyington.

The Water Tower is actually taller than listed

Historically, the Water Tower has been listed as 154-feet-tall in literature. Search “Water Tower height” and it’s the first result that comes up. But in 1994, the National Parks Service measured the tower and found that it’s 182 feet, six inches to the tip of its spire.

No, it wasn’t the only building to survive the Great Chicago Fire

As legend has it, the Water Tower was the only structure left standing after the city was ravaged by the Great Fire of 1871 and it quickly became a rallying point for Chicago’s ability to rise phoenix-like from the ashes. But that’s an exaggeration— four other structures in the neighborhood also survived the fire’s path, including the nearby Chicago Avenue Pumping Station, St. Ignatius College Prep, and St. Michael’s Church in Old Town, and a police constable cottage at 2121 N. Hudson. In addition, there were plenty of sections of Chicago on the West and South sides never touched by the fire.

It was probably saved by a German immigrant fireman

The Water Tower would likely not have survived without a firefighter named Frank Trautman, according to the Chicago Architecture Center. During the Great Fire, he covered the building in woolen blankets and discarded canvas sails soaked in lake water—protecting it from the cinders and flaming debris as the rest of the city burned.

Oscar Wilde wasn’t a fan

While in Chicago to give a lecture in 1882, Oscar Wilde famously referred to the ornate stone building as “a castellated monstrosity with pepper-boxes stuck all over it.” But the owners of White Castle had a much higher opinion. When the fast-food chain came to Chicago in 1928, the design of the first local store was a homage of the Water Tower .

The “hanging man” ghost story is a tall tale

One of the most infamous Chicago ghost stories is the one about the city worker who was manning the water pumps in the Tower during the Great Chicago Fire. As the fire encroached, he reportedly hung himself from the top floor rather than be burned to death. According to the popular myth, you can sometimes still see a shadowy hanging figure through the upstairs window. It’s a great tale , but there’s no documented proof of a tragic suicide during the fire.

Chicago Water Tower

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• A Bird's Eye View of Pre-Fire Chicago
• The Great Conflagration
• The Ruined City
• Rescue and Relief
• Queen of the West Once More
• The Eyewitnesses
• Media Event
• Fanning the Flames
• The O'Leary Legend
• Commemorating Catastrophe
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• Timeline: Chicago in 1871
• City Hall Panoramas and Vistas, 1858 and 2011
• The O’Learys on Film
• Songs From the Fire
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Water Tower

Found in tour: from the old chicago historical society to the water tower.

Laying of the cornerstone for the Water Tower, March 25, 1867; Photograph (ichi-64424)

The view is northeast along Chicago Avenue.  At this point, before the shoreline had been substantially extended with fill, the Pumping Station was a short distance from the lake.

Chicago Water Works; Louis Kurz for Jevne & Almini, Lithograph, 1866-67 (ichi-06859)

A small crowd of men and a pair of isolated women contemplate the fire's work. In the Eleventh Annual Report of the Board of Public Works (1872), city engineer (and later mayor) DeWitt Cregier wrote, "The flames from this time spread with such rapidity that the whole neighborhood for blocks around became a 'sea of fire,' thus at about 3 o'clock in the morning of the 9th of October the pumping works became an utter wreck, nothing but the naked walls of the building and the broken and blackened skeletons of three engines were left to mark the spot from whence only a few hours before flowed millions of gallons of pure water for the comfort and convenience of our citizens."

Chicago Waterworks after the Fire; from a Stereograph, 1871 (ichi-13918)

A small crowd of men and a pair of isolated women contemplate the fire's work. In the Eleventh Annual Report of the Board of Public Works (1872), city engineer (and later mayor) DeWitt Cregier wrote, "The flames from this time spread with such rapidity that the whole neighborhood for blocks around became a 'sea of fire,' thus at about 3 o'clock in the morning of the 9th of October the pumping works became an utter wreck, nothing but the naked walls of the building and the broken and blackened skeletons of three engines were left to mark the spot from whence only a few hours before flowed millions of gallons of pure water for the comfort and convenience of our citizens."

The viewpoint here is much the same as in the Jevne & Almini lithograph.  Even at this point late in the nineteenth century, by which time the city's population had surpassed one million, the area by the Water Tower was not heavily developed.

Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station; Photograph, ca. 1890 (ichi-05902)

The completion of the Michigan Avenue Bridge in 1920 joined Michigan Avenue below the river and Pine Street above it into a single street.  The  “boulevarding” of Michigan Avenue on both sides of the river also widened it considerably.  Handsome new office buildings, starting with the Wrigley Building and the Tribune Tower, began to spring up north of the river, leading to the creation of what became known as the “Magnificent Mile,” between the Main Branch of the Chicago River and just beyond the Water Tower.  We see this development clearly in this view from just north of the tower.

The Water Tower, View South along Michigan Avenue; Chicago Daily News, Photograph, 1929 (DN-0020190)

Another view down Michigan Avenue in the late 1920s.  Note the relatively modest height of buildings surrounding the Water Tower at this time, especially to its north, so that at this point it was still one of the tallest buildings in the vicinity.

The Water Tower; Kaufman & Fabry, Photograph, 1929 (ichi-29600)

The Water Tower and Pumping Station (circled in the center right of the photograph) face each other across North Michigan Avenue amidst a cityscape completely transformed from that of the post-fire era.  Nearby sites include Holy Name Cathedral and the Newberry Library a few blocks to the southwest and northwest, the Wrigley Building to the south, the Drake Hotel to the north, and Lincoln Park beyond.  The Streeterville neighborhood east of the Pumping Station is still only partially developed.

Aerial View Michigan Ave and Oak Street Beach; Photograph, ca. 1925 (ichi 05789_v2)

© 2011 Chicago Historical Society and Northwestern University

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City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower

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A resplendent venue showcasing the work of local photographers and artists, the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower, is centrally located along the city’s famed Magnificent Mile.

The Chicago Water Tower is the city’s most familiar and treasured landmark. Constructed between 1867 and 1869, it was created for Chicago’s municipal water system, and originally housed a 135 foot iron standpipe used to regulate water pressure. It gained special significance as one of the few buildings to survive the destructive path of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Both the Water Tower and Pumping Station to the east were designed by William W. Boyington, one of Chicago’s most prolific architects of the mid-nineteenth century.

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• 3 Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower
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• 8 Loyola Museum of Art (LUMA)
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City gallery at the historic water tower.

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806 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60611

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A resplendent venue showcasing the work of local photographers and artists, the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower, is centrally located along the city’s famed Magnificent Mile.

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Explore A Hidden Art Museum Now Open Inside Chicago’s Iconic Water Tower Place

The Exhibit House of Chicago, a new dreamy experiential art museum is officially open, bringing innovative exhibits to Chicago’s historic Water Tower Place. 

With hidden gems, interchangeable exhibits, and experimental art installations galore, The Exhibit House is taking up residence inside one of Chicago’s most historic structures: Water Tower Place.

Located on the fourth floor of the iconic building, the new museum officially opened up on April 1st. It’s filled to the brim with artistic endeavors that hope to inspire, as the newly minted museum is all about creating a fun self-driven series of interactive activities for museum-goers to participate in.

Water Tower Place, which houses a full mall, movie theater heater, a hotel, and condominiums, has traditionally catered to large-scale brands. With this new museum, they’re bringing a bit of individuality to the location.

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The museum is all set up in a spacious open layout design featuring separate exhibits, which right now include Disco Dreamland, The Mood Room, and Secret Garden. Each has its moment to shine and will be revolving as time goes on. Creative Director and producer Emily Rose is hard at work creating a large-scale experience that’s memorable, colorful, and visually revelatory.

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The space also hopes to feature up-and-coming artists in pop-up shows. Currently, they are showcasing artist Kristopher Kites inventive design.

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As for when you can grab a ticket, operating hours are going from Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more about tickets here .

Address: 835 Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60611

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Chicago water tower and pumping station, old chicago water tower and chicago avenue pumping station.

• Location: Chicago Illinois Regional Essays: Illinois Cook County Architect: William W. Boyington Morris Architects Planners Types: water towers pumping stations theaters (buildings) art galleries (buildings) Styles: Gothic Revival Materials: limestone

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James E. Peters, " Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station ", [ Chicago , Illinois ], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/IL-01-031-0095 . Last accessed: May 18, 2024.

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The Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station were originally at the city’s northern edge, and were among the few structures to have survived the Fire of 1871. They are now iconic symbols of the city’s past, surrounded by the bustling North Michigan Avenue retail district and dwarfed by office and residential high-rise towers. Both structures were designed by William W. Boyington, one of Chicago’s most prolific late-nineteenth-century architects.

The Pumping Station (811 North Michigan Avenue) is the older of the two structures. Dating to 1866, it was built to receive fresh water, via underground pipes, from access “crib” structures a mile out into Lake Michigan. This building is dominated by a 60 x 142-foot engine room featuring a 36-foot-tall ceiling and encircled by a mezzanine. Boiler rooms and a tall limestone smokestack are located to the east of the engine room. The building’s exterior is yellow limestone from quarries in nearby Joliet and Lemont. It is ornamented in a Gothic Revival style, featuring cut stone battlements and a low-pitched hipped roof.

The Water Tower (806 North Michigan Avenue) was built three years later to house (and disguise) a 138-foot-tall standpipe used to stabilize the city’s water pressure. Located to the west of the Pumping Station, it also built of Joliet-Lemont limestone. Its appearance, however, is substantially more ornate than the somewhat utilitarian-looking pump house, bringing the castellated Gothic style to its full expression. On a visit in 1882, British writer and renowned wit Oscar Wilde called the water tower a “castellated monstrosity” so redolent of the middle ages that “one expects to see mailed knights peering out.”

The tower is set on a 40 x 40-foot base that diminishes in size over its 154-foot height. Each of the four facades is identical, with center entrances flanked by pointed arch windows and drop moldings. Small corner towers and battlements provide decorative emphasis at each of the three lower levels, while the octagonal shaft is capped by a cupola featuring eight tourelles. Inside the tower, a 9-foot-wide vestibule surrounds the base of the standpipe, which long ago was replaced by a 237-step staircase.

The buildings were threatened with demolition on several occasions—in 1906, 1918, and 1948—due to a proposed road widening and pressures from drastic urban change in the immediate vicinity. In 1962–1963, both buildings were restored, which included the substantial replacement of deteriorated stone with new limestone.

In 2003, much of the Pumping Station—except the still-functioning engine room—was converted to a live theater venue, as part of the surrounding area’s ongoing redevelopment into a museum and retail district. Similarly, the Water Tower was converted to use as an art gallery space for the City of Chicago.

Koeper, Frederick. Illinois Architecture from Territorial Times to the Present . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1968.

Sinkevitch, Alice, ed. AIA Guide to Chicago . Orlando, FL: Harcourt, 2004.

Taussig, Meredith. Summary of Information for the Water Tower and Chicago Avenue Pumping Station . Chicago: Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks, 1984.

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• Location: Chicago, Illinois Regional Overviews: Cook County Architect: Morris Architects Planners Types: water towers pumping stations theaters (buildings) art galleries (buildings) Styles: Gothic Revival Materials: limestone

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Santa at Water Tower Place

• 835 N Michigan Ave. Chicago 60611 United States
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Cap off a day of holiday shopping with a visit with Santa at Chicago's shopping paradise, home to some of the most popular kids' shops!

Time flies, except when you're standing in line, so make sure that you save time and make a reservation today. Be sure to book now before it's too late! Plus, save 30% on your photos by pre-ordering a package online.

Receive a coupon for $30 to spend towards Tiny Prints. Visit the Santa photo checkout area for details.

Regular Hours:Monday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PMSunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PMSpecial Hours:12/16 – 12/23: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PMChristmas Eve: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Break: 12:30 PM-1:30 PM)

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Experience a one of a kind fusion of light and sound at the plaza of 875 North Michigan Avenue. From April 7th to May 6th, immerse yourself in an interactive installation that delves deep into the phenomenon of communication. Read more

Open House Chicago: Explore Chicago's Architectural Wonders

Enjoy a lively day in Chicago starting with a one of a kind experience at Ed Debevic's. Then off to your Open House Chicago 2023 adventure. Savor a Halloween-themed afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Finally, end your day with some fun at Flight Club. 

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Water Tower Endodontics

Hours updated over 3 months ago

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Review Highlights

“ Doctor Alan Commet saved my tooth and an existing crown when he performed my recent root canal. ” in 4 reviews

“ Dr Commet took time to explain the whole process, outline the options and explain next steps. ” in 12 reviews

“ Aga is phenomenal- she is patient and gentle and clearly explained the plan of action for my treatment. ” in 6 reviews

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About the Business

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Business Owner

The specialists at Water Tower Endodontics have extensive training in, and experience with, the most complicated root canal therapy conditions. Our experienced team is made up of a group of friendly, warm, and compassionate doctors and staff who look forwarding to calming any concerns and anxiety you have about the procedure. Using modern technologies we can deliver efficient and high quality outcomes all while allowing you to relax and discover that root canals don’t have to be something to be afraid of! …

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845 N Michigan Ave

Chicago, IL 60611

Chestnut St & Pearson St

Streeterville, Near North Side

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Can imaging determine if a vertical front tooth fracture extends to the root? If it does extend, are there treatment options other than extraction?

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• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

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Overall rating

I had a consultation and while I did not need any work done, this time, I will definitely return if I have a need something done in the future. Dr Commet is very honest, personable, and explains your situation and options very clearly. Also give 5 stars to the staff.

I visited Water Tower Endodontics (Vertex) this week. The purpose of the visit was to have them check the tooth that had a root canal at this location under its prior ownership. The entire staff was supportive and kind and obviously cared about my well-being. Dr. Wang was thoughtful and thorough and solved a small problem with the prior work that was bugging me. Thank you all so much for what you do! I highly recommend this practice.

I had a dental emergency while on a trip. We were staying in Chicago and I had to find an Endodontist to perform emergency work that would allow me to remain pain free until we returned home to NYC. We checked the reviews and found Renovo Endodontics (also known as Water Tower Endodontics) that had received five stars. It was only a few blocks from our hotel which was perfect. I was able to set an appointment for the next day with Dr. Alan Commet. Dr. Commet was professional and personable. He explained my situation to me in clear terms. He let me know what he could do and what I needed to get done when I got back home. He worked on me quickly and painlessly. It was so quick that I didn't even know he had finished. Thanks to Dr. Commet's work, I was able to complete my trip with no pain (my wife thanks him also). I highly recommend this practice to anyone needing endodontic care.

Love Dr. Comet. I have beautiful teeth and the back teeth are just as important as the back. Thanks for fixing my issue.

Of course no one wants to have to come to see an endodontist, but if you do end up in that position I can't recommend this place enough. The staff have always been very accommodating and friendly and the location is always very clean. Dr. Mehta is the most kind and considerate dental professional i've had the pleasure of working with. I've had 2 root canals with her and have always left feeling comfortable post procedure, well informed of what occurred and how to proceed and just an overall feeling of being cared for as her patient. I cannot say enough positive things about her and how pleasant she makes a historically unpleasant experience.

Very good nice and professional. Professional office staff was great with new equipment.

Excellent care and a lovely staff. Dr.Commet explained everything to me in detail and gave me several options. His professionalism and knowledge made me feel very at ease. He worked quickly and efficiently and I had no pain at all, not even the shots! Everyone went out of their way to ensure a positive outcome and experience. I highly recommend this practice.

I had such a good experience at this office. I was referred by my dentist for a root canal consultation. I went in the morning and I had significant pain in my tooth. I was fortunate to see Dr. Nisha Mehta and she told me I needed a root canal. She had me return later that day to do the procedure because she knew I was in a lot of pain. I was so grateful. Dr. Mehta was so kind, professional and competent. She explained everything to me about the procedure. I felt so well taken care of by her and her dental assistant, Nora, and Judy, her receptionist. They were great. Since I had the procedure I have been pain free. I would highly recommend treatment at the Renovo Endodontic Studio at Water Tower Place.

No one wants a surprise root canal! But I had the great good fortune to be seen by Dr. Commet at Water Tower Endodontics. Dr. Commet and his staff were very reassuring, and very dedicated to my comfort. There were some complexities involved with this particular tooth, and Dr. Commet handled them with great skill, aplomb, and kindness. I had no pain or other ill effects afterward, and Dr. Commet coordinated beautifully with my general dentist for followup. I would highly recommend this practice and this doctor to anyone in need of these services.

First ever root canal - and as one might expect, I was a bit nervous, to say the least. I should not have been. Dr. Nisha Mehta, her assistant and Joanne made me so comfortable that I almost forgot what I was there for. The whole process was relatively quick, painless and expertly done. Very happy with this practice, and more than happy to recommend them to anyone who needs treatment.

6 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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Water Tower

The Water Tower

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• Monday:   Closed
• Tuesday: 6pm – 12am
• Wed: 6pm – 12am
• Thu: 6pm – 4am
• Fri: 6pm – 4am
• Sat: 6pm – 4am
• Sun: 6pm – 12am

When wows are a must. It’s a showstopper to look at, and the view from atop Arlo Williamsburg is even better with a signature cocktail, beer or wine by the glass in hand. Open from 6pm, crimson peach spring, summer and fall sunsets at the Watertower Bar give way to night’s dazzling lights across Brooklyn and NYC. Your Insta will thank you.

Open 365 Days A Year

March – September Sunday – Saturday 9:00am – 10:00pm

October – February Sunday – Friday 9:00am – 8:00pm Saturday 9:00am – 9:00pm

* Last entry 30 minutes prior to close

Saturday May 25th: 8am – 10pm

Sunday May 26th: 8am – 10pm

Monday May 27th: 8am – 10pm

Tower History

Where we’ve been, and where we’re going.

Dawn Sunday at St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier in St. Augustine, Florida.

Dale Bowman

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Anglers silhouetted against the predawn sky Sunday on the St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier caught my eye.

I walk a couple miles every morning, no matter where I am. Since it was St. Augustine, I decided to walk the beach. Even at 5:30 a.m., I was far from alone as people piled out to the beach.

But the pier and anglers are what pulled at me. I finally figured out how to get out on the pier. It was free that early.

How many people were on the beach — jogging, walking, hunting shells and shark teeth, holding hands — that early surprised me. The number of anglers out before dawn did not surprise me, they’re up early.

The St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier in St. Augustine, Florida.

Beach access is free. Sightseeing on the pier is $2. Daily fishing permits for the pier are $6 for non-residents.

That made me smile when I think of the relentless complaining about the cost of fishing around Chicago from an access point. Can you imagine if a booth was put up to collect fees for walking the Montrose Horseshoe or if a daily fishing permit fee was required?

The sign for St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier in St. Augustine, Florida.

Walking out the pier, I bumped into Joe Fioramonti cutting up shrimp and a small croaker for bait on the wooden cap board on the pier fencing. We instantly started talking.

Next cast he got a bite and reeled in a small croaker, which obligingly made the croaking sound as Fioramonti unhooked it, then released it.

That started a litany of catching fish new to me as dawn seemed to spark fishing. Over the next hour and a half, he caught several dozen fish, a lot of them croakers. But he also caught spots, sometimes known as black spots, for, yes, a dark spot above the pectoral fin. There was whiting, which, Fioramonti said, some locals call butterfish.

Fioramonti, a retired printer from Greenwood Lake, New York, was down visiting his son and grandkids. I was driving a U-Haul with our second son to drop off at our oldest son’s place.

Joe Fioramonti reeled in a double Sunday at The St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier in St. Augustine, Florida.

Pigeons, ruddy turnstones, terns, gulls, brown pelicans and boat-tailed grackles flew around the pier, sometimes being a nuisance, or floated on the water.

For fishing, Fioramonti used a spinning rod with what looked like a crappie rig with circle hooks above a 3-ounce pyramid sinker. He either cut up shrimp, bought inexpensively at Oldest City Bait & Tackle on A1A, or small croakers for cut bait.

A sail catfish, as anglers know them, was among the catches Sunday at the St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier in St. Augustine, Florida.

Another fish he caught he called a sail catfish. I think it’s a gafftopsail catfish with a high dorsal fin vaguely like a sail. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission notes they prefer coastal waters. The state record is 8 pounds, 14 ounces. The one Fioramonti caught was less than a pound.

A woman at a choice spot at the end of the pier caused a fuss when she hooked a bonnethead shark, smallest of hammerhead sharks, of about 18 inches. Visitors on the pier, including myself, clustered around her to look at it. It reminded of perch fishing at Navy Pier when tourists stop to take photos when someone reels in a yellow perch.

A thought for Chicago’s city planners to keep in mind: Fishing adds to the ambiance of the waterfront.

A woman caught a bonnethead shark Sunday at the St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier in St. Augustine, Florida.

The woman caught another smaller shark later.

When Fioramonti caught fish, he measured them to see if they were as big as the cap board (about 12 inches). Those he kept and took to the end where some anglers were keeping fish.

A turtle (snapper, I think) bobbed below us several times.

Fioramonti caught a couple doubles on a good morning, so good that he said, “Usually, I end up giving my leftover bait away.” He didn’t need to Sunday.

A man with three kids came down and started surf casting down the beach. When he reeled in a fish, the kids went wild.

It was time.

Driving out of town, I stopped by Oldest City Bait & Tackle. It’s the kind of bait shop that makes me nostalgic and feeling fuzzy, but different than the bait shops I know. It offered shrimp, mullet, squid, clams, ballyhoo and sardines for sale. The woman working the counter explained the rigs I saw them using on the pier, which looked like crappie rigs, and showed me Pompano rigs and whiting rigs.

Seeing the bait shop made me happy. Seeing a kid in a boat outside flipping minnows from the bait box made me even happier. That’s a kid learning to love fishing.

St. Augustine is a touristy town, one I happen to enjoy. If you’re going, revel in it and visit visitstaugustine.com .

A kid flips minnows outside Oldest City Bait & Tackle in St. Augustine.