Chicago Historic Water Tower On Michigan Avenue Foggy Twilight - Chicago Illinois is a photograph by Silvio Ligutti which was uploaded on July 17th, 2015.
Chicago Historic Water Tower On Michigan Avenue Foggy Twilight - Chicago Illinois
The Chicago Water Tower is a contributing property in the Old Chicago Water Tower District landmark district. It is located at 806 North Michigan... more
Title
Chicago Historic Water Tower On Michigan Avenue Foggy Twilight - Chicago Illinois
Artist
Silvio Ligutti
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The Chicago Water Tower is a contributing property in the Old Chicago Water Tower District landmark district. It is located at 806 North Michigan Avenue along the Magnificent Mile shopping district in the Near North Side community area of Chicago, Illinois in a small park, the Jane M. Byrne Plaza. The tower was constructed to house a large water pump, intended to draw water from Lake Michigan; it now serves as a Chicago Office of Tourism art gallery. The Chicago Water Tower is the second-oldest water tower in the United States, after the Louisville Water Tower in Louisville, Kentucky.
The tower, built in 1869 by architect William W. Boyington from yellowing Joliet limestone, is 154 feet (47 m) tall. Inside was a 138 foot (42 m) high standpipe to hold water. In addition to being used for firefighting, the pressure in the pipe could be regulated to control water surges in the area.[3] Together with the adjacent Chicago Avenue Pumping Station, it drew clean water from water cribs in Lake Michigan.
The tower gained prominence after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. While some incorrectly believe that the tower was the only building to survive the fire, a few other buildings in the burned district survived along with the tower. The tower was the only public building in the burned zone to survive, and is one of just a few of the surviving structures still standing. In the years since the fire, the tower has become a symbol of old Chicago and of the city's recovery from the fire. In 1918, when Pine Street was widened, the plans were altered in order to give the Water Tower a featured location.
The tower has undergone two renovations. The first took place during a three-year period, 1913-1916. At that time many of the limestone blocks were replaced. The second renovation occurred in 1978. This renovation consisted mostly of interior changes with only minor changes made to the exterior of the building.[6] In 2014, the small park the tower is sited in was named for former Chicago mayor Jane Byrne.
Uploaded
July 17th, 2015
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Silvio Ligutti
Thank you so much to the art collector from Mansfield, MA. Please send me an e-mail directly so I can thank you personally and offer you a discount code for a future acquisition!