Water Tower Place in Chicago, Illinois

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The Chicago Water Tower stands as a contributing property within the Old Chicago Water Tower District landmark district. Situated at 806 North Michigan Avenue, along the Magnificent Mile shopping district in the Near North Side community area of Chicago, Illinois, it is nestled in a small park known as Jane M. Byrne Plaza. Originally constructed to house a large water pump, drawing water from Lake Michigan, the tower now serves as an art gallery for the Chicago Office of Tourism. The second-oldest water tower in the United States, after the Louisville Water Tower in Louisville, Kentucky, it was built by architect William W. Boyington in 1869 using yellowing Joliet limestone. The tower's height is 154 feet (47 m), with a 138 foot (42 m) high standpipe inside to hold water. In addition to its firefighting purposes, the pressure in the pipe allowed for regulation of water surges in the area. Alongside the adjacent Chicago Avenue Pumping Station, it drew clean water from water cribs in Lake Michigan. The tower gained prominence following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, despite some misconceptions that it was the only building to survive the fire. However, a few other buildings within the burned district remained standing alongside the tower. The tower was the sole public building to survive the disaster and one of just a few structures still standing among the survivors. Since then, it has become a symbol of old Chicago and its recovery from the fire. In 1918, when Pine Street was widened, plans were altered to give the Water Tower a prominent location. The tower underwent two renovations: the first took place between 1913 and 1916, replacing many of the limestone blocks, while the second occurred in 1978, primarily involving interior changes with minor exterior modifications. In 2014, the small park where the tower is situated was named after former Chicago mayor Jane Byrne. While not universally admired, the structure has inspired some notable creations. Oscar Wilde once described it as a "castellated monstrosity with pepper boxes stuck all over it," but he did appreciate the arrangement and movement of the pumping machinery inside. The Water Tower's castle-like style influenced the design of many White Castle restaurant buildings. The Tower was named an American Water Landmark in 1969, and in 2004, it featured prominently in the finale of The Amazing Race 6.