
The Tower is situated
at 800 N. Michigan Avenue, near the
John
Hancock Center. The Water Tower provides a sharp contrast with
the surrounding high-rise buildings.
Constructed in 1869 using big limestone blocks, the
Chicago Water Tower, with all its small towers in a
'gothic style', resembles more a tiny European 13th
century castle than a water tower. It was designed by
the

architect
William W. Boyington and houses a 40 meter standpipe
which was needed to equalize the pressure of the water
pumped from the pumping station to the east. The total
height of the tower is 154 ft or 47 m.
Since its survival of the Great Fire, the Chicago Water Tower
became one of Chicago's main symbols. The tower became
functionally obsolete many years ago, although the pumping
station still pumps water for the city.
In May of 1969, during the year of its centennial anniversary,
the Chicago Water Tower was selected by the American
Water Works Association to be the first American Water
Landmark. It now houses a visitor information center
and has become one of the major tourist attractions
in Chicago.