Chicago Water Tower

The Chicago Water Tower at 806 N Michigan Ave stands on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois, as one of the few buildings in the burned district to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Built in 1869 of Joliet limestone in a castellated Gothic Revival style, the tower originally housed a standpipe that regulated water pressure for the city's pumping station across the street. Its pale stone turrets now look small beside the surrounding skyscrapers and shopping centers, which adds to its interest as a historical marker.

Today the building contains a gallery, operated as part of the city's visitor programming, that typically hosts exhibitions of photography and local art. Visitors can enter the gallery for free and see the interior of the tower, though the space is small. The pumping station across the street, built in the same style, contains a visitor center and other uses. The Water Tower is a popular photographic subject, particularly when the stone is lit at night or decorated with seasonal lights, and the Magnificent Mile's holiday lights in December draw crowds to the surrounding blocks.

A visit generally takes 20 to 30 minutes. The gallery is typically open daily from about 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, though the exterior is always visible and free to view, and hours should be confirmed locally. Midday on weekdays is quieter, while weekends and holiday shopping periods are crowded on the sidewalks. The tower sits two blocks east of the CTA Red Line Chicago station and is served by buses 3, 146 and 151 along Michigan Avenue. It fits easily into a walk along the Magnificent Mile, with 360 CHICAGO, Oak Street Beach and many shops within a few minutes. For the best photograph, stand across Michigan Avenue and include the contrast between the old limestone tower and the glass buildings behind it.