Water Tower Photo from Library of Congress Who was the architect? What is it made of? How did it affect Chicago's water supply? Where and when was it built? Why is it important?   Show me a map!            Who was the architect? W.W. Boyington, a great architect, designed the Water Tower. He also designed how it would pump water from Lake Michigan. Return to Top       What is it made of? The Water Tower is made out of limestone. The pipes are very secure so they won't leak. They are some of the most secure pipes in the world. They are covered heavily with limestone, too.  Return to Top       How did it affect Chicago's water supply? Before the Water Tower, Chicago's water was really bad. Chicago pumped its water from the Chicago River which was also the city's sewer. Then, W.W. Boyington designed how the Water Tower would pump cleaner water from Lake Michigan to the city. The city would no longer need to pump water from the Chicago River.  Return to Top       Where and when was it built? The Water Tower was built in 1869 and it is on North Michigan Ave., but it looks like it's on Chicago Ave. Return to Top       Why is it important? The Water Tower was important because Chicago's drinking water was very bad until it (and the Pumping Station across the street) was built to bring in water from Lake Michigan. Now, the Water Tower is important because it is one of a very few buildings in this part of Chicago to make it through the Chicago Fire, which makes it a historical landmark. Return to Top    BUILDINGS | ARCHITECTS | BASICS | GAMES | LINKS | BIBLIOGRAPHY | ABOUT US | EMAIL | HOME