Water Tower II

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Water Tower II
Life Span: 1866-Present
Location: Pine and Chicago Streets
Architect: William W. Boyington

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1866

Chicago Water Works

Chicago Water Works Reservoir

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1880
Chicago Water Works, Chicago av. ne. cor. Pine and S. Ashland av. near W. 22d

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1885
Chicago Waterworks, Chicago av. ne. cor. Pine and S. Ashland av. near W. 22d

Chicago Illustrated, January 1866

CHICAGO WATER WORKS.—This view of the new Water Works of Chicago is taken from the West. In a former number we gave a view of the crib, or the lake end of the tunnel through which the city obtains the water from the lake. The building to the right is of white stone, and includes boiler rooms, engine rooms, and all the necessary apartments and offices for the persons employed in the establishment. Within the area covered by this building are three wells, one square well thirty by fifteen feet, and twenty feet deep; one circular well thirty-one feet in diameter and twenty-one feet deep; and one thirty-eight feet in diameter and thirty feet deep. This last well is not used, but kept in reserve for the future need of the city. Two new engines of nine hundred horse-power stand over the other circular well, resting on foundations of masonry. A drift or horizontal shaft one hundred and fifty-four feet long and four feet in diameter has been laid from main shaft, or shore end of the tunnel, to the gate chamber. From this chamber a passage one hundred and nine feet long extends to several wells. These are forty feet below the surface. The gate chamber has a depth of forty-five feet, and a diameter of eighteen feet. Within are five partition walls of masonry, with an equal number of gates to regulate the flow of the water. The two new engines are estimated to have the power of forcing eighteen million gallons of water a day. The cylinders are each forty-five inches in diameter, with eight-foot stroke. The pumps which are placed in the wells below the cylinders are double-acting, and twenty-six feet in diameter, with eight feet stroke. The boiler is twenty feet long, and eleven feet six inches in diameter. The white stone stack or chimney is one hundred feet high. The engine rooms measure one hundred and eighty-six by sixty feet.

In the front of the picture is the Water Tower. It is of white stone, and measures one hundred and thirty feet high. The base is twenty-four feet square, within which a spiral stair-case heads to an observatory overlooking the city, and affording a view of the water column in the center. The column within the tower will be three feet in diameter, and is made of wrought iron. The base has six nozzles, three of which receive the water from the pumps, and the others distribute it through the mains which supply the city.

The successful completion of the tunnel was followed by the construction of these new buildings, and on 25th of March, 1867, the corner stone of the building was laid with imposing ceremonies by the Masonic fraternity, the Most Worshipful Grand Master Jerome R. Gorin officiating. A grand military, civic and Masonic procession took place, and thousands of people were present on the occasion. The oration was delivered by the Hon. John B. Rice, Mayor of Chicago. Addresses were also made by Ex-Mayor F. C. Sherman and others. Both gentlemen paid deserved compliments to the scientific skill of E. S. Chesbrough, Esq., the engineer who superintended the whole work.

The entire cost of the Chicago Works, including tunnel, buildings, machinery, and all the requisites, was two millions five hundred thousand dollars. W. W. Boyington, Esq., was the architect of the buildings.

James W. Sheahan, Esq.,
January, 1867

Chicago Daily Tribune, January 14, 1867

THE NEW WATER WORKS
Before the crib was sunk in the lake, before even the first spade full of earth thrown up from the western end of the proposed tunnel, it was a foregone conclusion that the old Water Works would, in due time, be thrown aside for the new; and when the completion of the tunnel was announced, a few weeks ago, some of our residents flattered themselves with the idea that nothing more remained to be accomplished; that water and little fishes would stop running through the old works; and that, possibly, pipes full of pure water would immediately make their appearance in every kitchen and bed room in the city. These ideas, in the main, will be realized in a few months, and probably after August next, those who have had small fish brought to their houses several times a day, gratis, will be obliged to patronize fish markets, and pay for all the fish they carry away – just as people who have not patronized the old works a couple of years have been in the habit of doing.

The old pumping house will be torn away during the coming summer, and a larger building erected on the site, directly opposite the new tower, which will be 150 feet high. The water pumped up in the old house, comes from two small wells, and flows into them from the lake. Under the old engines is a large well, 25 feet in diameter, 20 feet from each of the small wells – the tree being directly on a line. The large well is dug; but can be connected with the smaller ones with very little trouble. A temporary connection is being made from the old suction pipe to the tunnel, and the work is expected to be completed in a few days, more or less. Work on the new tower has been temporarily suspended, but will be resumed in time for the completion of the tower at the specified date. Surrounding the tower will be a handsome park, bounded by Chicago avenue, Pearson, the lake, and Rush streets. Handsome trees and fountains will be planted and located in this park, which, it is earnestly to be hoped, will be a “thing of beauty” and “a joy forever.”

Chicago Daily Tribune, March 25, 1867

1869 Annual Report of Chicago’s Board of Public Works.

THE WATER TOWER
Is the most imposing feature among the whole mass of buildings comprising the works, and is without doubt the most substantial and elaborate structure of the kind on this continent. Its center is 106 feet west of the main buildings, upon ground purchased for the purpose in 1865; 168 piles capped with 12 inch oak timbers, the spaces filled with concrete, constitute the foundation up to the surface of the water; from thence to a point 6 feet below grade, solid massive dimension stones, laid in cement, intervene. At this point the gate, pit and arched ways on each corner for mains are formed. The base of the tower is 22 feet square. The exterior of the shaft is octagonal, and rises 154 feet from the ground to the top of the stone work which terminates in a battlemented cornice. The whole is surmounted by an iron cupola, (not yet finished,) pierced with numerous windows, from whence maybe obtained a magnificent view of the lake, the city and surrounding country. The exterior of the tower is divided into five sections. The first section is 40 feet square, exclusive of battlements, turrets, &c., and surrounds the base of the shaft, forming a continuous vestibule 9 feet wide on the four sides, with a grand entrance on each side. The floor and roof of this portion is of massive stone. The roof forms a balcony. The walls are plastered and blocked off like those of the engine room. The ceiling is groined and corniced, and the sides are ornamented with tablet drinking fountains, &c. The other sections of the exterior recede from each other in graceful proportion, each having turreted cornice, battlements, &c.

The bottom of the interior is hexagonal; here the base piece of stand pipe (a casting, weighing 6 tons) is placed, having 6 openings supplied with 30 inch gates, to which the water mains are connected. From this base a 36 inch wrought iron stand pipe ascends to a height of 138 feet; around this pipe is an easy and substantial iron spiral stairway, leading to the cupola on the top, and lighted throughout with alternating windows.

The whole structure is thoroughly fire-proof , being constructed wholly of stone, brick and iron. This tower is illustrated on the opposite page.

THE GROUNDS
Are bounded by Chicago Avenue, Pine Street, Pearson Street and the Lake. They have a frontage on Pine Street of 218 feet, and extend from the lake west a distance of over 571 feet. These grounds are not yet fenced or laid out, but the illustration on the following page shows the proposed improvement, which is in keeping with the general character of the buildings, &c.

The foregoing gives but an imperfect idea of the vast amount of work which has been done upon these premises during the past four years. The perplexities, anxiety and risk arising during the prosecution of the work cannot well be conveyed in words, but as all that was proposed has been successfully accomplished, the spectator will observe wisdom, strength and beauty everywhere prominent in the designs and execution of the work, which is composed of almost imperishable material, and may last for ages and become a land-mark, visible to the mariner as he approaches the port of Chicago, as well as a prominent object for miles inland. The whole work cannot fail to reflect the highest credit equally upon the Board of Public Works, Messrs. Gindele, Letz and Rose, who adopted the plans and commenced the work; and upon the subsequent Board, Messrs. Burley, McArthur and Carter, who have carried them to completion. To the citizens of Chicago the water works of our city will stand as one of the enduring monuments which so fully characterize their energy, enterprise and liberality.

Much credit is also due to W. W. Boyington, Esq., the architect of the buildings, for the professional skill, taste and judgment displayed in the work entrusted to him. That the plans have been faithfully executed by the various contractors, is demonstrated by the character of the work. The following named gentlemen have been engaged upon the recent extension and improvements:

Chicago Tribune, May 19, 1869

The south wing of the main Water Works building is now fully completed. This wing was designed for the reception of another plumbing engine, which the increasing needs of the city would require. Its external appearance corresponds precisely with that if the northern wing, so that the proportions of the structure are rendered complete, and its symmetry preserved. Several weeks ago the Board of Public Works submitted to the Common Council the property of taking steps towards the purchase of another pumping engine similar to the new one now in operation at the Water Works.It was then shown that the average daily consumption of water was, during the winter months, eighteen millions would be consumed. The capacity of the new engine is eighteen million gallons, and that of the two smaller engines jointly about twenty-one millions, or nearly forty millions in all. At present the accidental breakage of the little engine would necessitate the running of the remaining one or two ones to their fullest capacity, but, within two or three years, when the consumption of water should be largely increased, the present pumping power would be entirely insufficient to properly provide for the safety and health of the city against all contingencies. The special committee of the Common Council, to whom the sthe subject was referred, has not yet reported upon the matter, nor upon the project extending the tunnel and the construction of additional water works on some point in the vicinity of Twenty-second street and the river. In case the latter project should be adopted, it is probable that the new engine, or, perhaps, two small engines, will be placed in the new works. The fact that the Water Works are now fully completed and ready for the reception of another engine, will doubtless have the effect of settling the question of additional water supply.

One of the Great Engines at the Water Works.

Water Tower After Fire

Lakeside Monthly, October, 1872

Had the roof of the engine-house of the Water-Works been fire-proof, many millions of property destroyed in the great conflagration would have been saved. When, therefore, we say that the damage to the Water-Works was only about $100,000, we refer simply to direct damages, or to what it has cost the city to foot its repair-bills. Even this estimate does not include the damage to the North and South Side reservoirs. The damage to them is set down at $20,000; the loss by the in jury of water-pipes, at $15,000; by fire hydrants, at $10,000; water metres, $6,000. An immense waste of water occurred through open service-pipes, adding $97,410 to the water expense of the city, from which no revenue was derived. Putting all these items to gether, we have the cost of restoring the Water-Works, $248,410. The new roof over the engines is iron; and the catastrophe of last fall can never recur. In connection with the Water-Works, it may be mentioned that a new lake tunnel, of much larger capacity than the old one, is now under contract, to be completed July 1, 1874. The cost cannot be given in advance of its completion, as it is to be paid for according to plans and specifications, or by the piece.

Chicago Eagle, February 10, 1906

The proposition to remove the North Side water tower is the idea of an idiotic iconoclast. The water tower is one of the few beautiful landmarks in Chicago. It is a monument to old Chicago, the Chicago “before the fire,” and is worthy and a grand one. Long may it stand just where it is.

Chicago Tribune, October 9, 1910

At least one John Smith was born in Chicago in 1832 and in 1842 his remembrance of boy life in his neighborhood, 500 feet north of the present Clark street bridge, was that he was a charter member of the Chicago Waterworks system, not incorporated.

John’s chief duty at that period, between 7 and 14 years old, was the bailing of water for domestic use in a big tin pail and carrying it up the uncertain and slippery north bank of the river to the family supply tank. But in that particular year of 1866 John took a mule team ride from the front of Chicago avenue through the new water tunnel, and a mile and a half out into the lake, where he saw Mayor J. B. Rice place the keystone in the arch of the bore and heard the mayor proclaim:

Now, gentlemen, in behalf of the City of Chicago, I place this last stone in this great tunnel—the wonder of America and of the civilized world!

In the building of this $465,000 tunnel, a water intake had been built of 675,000 feet of lumber, fastened together with 200 tons of bolts, iron bands, nails, and screws, and floated out and anchored a mile and a half as the water end of the tunnel approach. Ground had been broken for the tunnel March 17—otherwise known as St. Patrick’s day—and on July 4 (probably) of 1865 the intake was sunk in the lake. It was on Dec. 6, 1866 that our real hero, a real John Smith and former member of the platoon system of Chicago water working rode out behind the team of mules to see and hear what Mayor Rice was going to do and say about it. Not till 1869 were the building and tower and plumbing equipment of the Chicago avenue water plant in service as “The Chicago Waterworks,” the name emblazoned over the doorplate of the main entrance to the station.

Prize Engine in Service.
When the old Corliss engine, shown as a wonder at the Philadelphia centennial in 1876, had done with its exhibition stunt, it was purchased for the Chicago Water works station at Chicago avenue and up to five or six years ago it hadn’t missed a pumping stroke since the steam was turned into its cylinder. Bout two years ago, however, the city decided to put in a modern pumping equipment discovering that the floor uplift was insufficient. In all those years, under several kinds and brands of city administration, the flooring had to be jacked up. Then it was found that an office annex, built to the west of the main structure and of the same architecture, literally was so bolted and barred and cross-barred to the original building that it would loosen or rise with the force of the jack screw.

“Pull her down!” suggested the engineering bureau; “call up W. J. Jackson, Inc., and have the debris dumped and make a new building of her”—or words of that sinister intent.

But while they were wrecking the oldest of the city’s municipal buildings, Charles E. Carson, an architect, who admired a real bit of architecture, rode by the wrecking one fine morning and bumped into the thought of putting up the new building with the old stones. He consulted some friends and these, consulting some other friends who knew about the Chicago Historical society, put through the scheme of putting old stones into a new building, a process which now is going on rapidly.

Building Now Being Reassembled.
As each stone was removed intact, it was numbered and placed to one side. If the stone shattered, its remnants were preserved and a new stone shaped from the fragment pattern. In this way this best example of the unburned Chicago of 1871 is reassembling good as new. But there’s a problem confronting the builders. We have the habit in Chicago of putting marble tablets or bronzed plates into walls of public buildings, showing just who were the public officials having anything to do with the construction work of the municipal architecture. Several times in our history we’ve had to tell our country cousins that this and that chap, named on these scrolls, is staying at Joliet, but probably will be back in three or four years.

On a marble slab in the present tower of the old Chicago avenue plant they chiseled names this way. The tablet reads that the commissioners of the board of public works then superintending things were John G. Gindele, Frederick Letz, and Orrin J. Rose.A. W. Tinkham was the secretary; E. S. Chesbrough, city engineer; DeWitt C. Cregier, engineer in charge of pumping; William W. Boyington, architect; Dall & Gowab, tunnel builders, and Edward Wailbaum, contractors for the buildings.

It is only fair to say that so far as the writer knows, the only person named on this scroll who may have got into hot water was DeWitt C. Cregier, who afterward became mayor of Chicago. This is a mere generalization, too, based on the presumption that Chicago never has had a mayor who didn’t get into superheated aqua pura.

Hard Problem in Names.
As to that problem referred to, what names are to be inscribed in the new-old structure? Where does Architect Charles E. CArson, who suggested yje exact rebuilding, come in? How about Health Commissioner Evans, President McCormick of the sanitary district, and the manufacturers of “Bubbly Creek?”

If these must be named on any kind of slab, shall the slab be taken out of the old water tower and replaced there? Or shall the list be posted in the pumping station itself?

It may be suggested that the reason for putting the list of the old builders of “The Chicago Water Works” in the rower was that people climbing the tower to get a bird’s-eye view of things, had to pass the marble slab. Now, people don’t climb the tower to see anything; there are apartments in the neighborhood a head taller than the tower and running express elevators to their roofs.

What’s the use? Today the old “water tower” is a city laboratory where they test concrete, steel, asphalt, and its adulterants.

Chicago Tribune Editorial, June 21, 1911

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Commissioner McGann has reported to the council that the Chicago avenue water tower must be thoroughly repaired or torn down.

It is said that the tower is no longer useful and that money should not be spent on it.

That all depends upon what is meant by useful. In this generation we are getting a broader conception of that term. We are leaving the crude standards of the frontier town and beginning to think of Chicago as a great world city, ambitious to be honored and admired as a center of civilization, a community where men have other aims than money making, a community where the arts may spring and flourish, where human life means more than eating, and sleeping, and digging.

The Chicago avenue water tower is the most distinctive and the most venerable landmark remaining in the city. It looked down upon the engulfing flames of ’71, amd barely escaped that epoch making trial. For many years it was one of the show places of the city, and many an indefatigable tourist before the days of the skyscraper and the elevator toiled up the winding stairway to view the brave young city spread below. About this tower have clustered many associations, humorous, and sentimental, and tragic, and it has become a part, a most sightly and honorable feature of the physiognomy of Chicago.

Shall we grudge a few dollars, nay, thousands of dollars to preserve it? We are awakening to a finer ideal of Chicago as a personality among cities, as a place to be cherished and beautified. The old water tower is picturesque, esthetically worthy, and associated strikingly in our memories with our thought of home. Both the towwr and the little square in which it stands are in every way worth preserving as they have been so many years. The Chicago Historical society, the Musical Art league, the friends of the City Pln, and every one who wishes to conserve and extend what is sightly and significant in Chicago ought to some come promptly to their rescue.

Chicago Tribune, October 15, 1911

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Workmen yesterday began tearing down twenty-five feet of the old tower on the city water works at the foot of East Chicago avenue, which is to be converted to a public observation tower next spring. The tower is 150 feet high and was erected in 1867.

The top of the tower had become dilapidated. Thomas J. Burns, the chief engineer recommended the change, as he believed there was danger of the tower collapsing.

Said Engineer Burns:

It is good for no other purpose. A stairway is to be built inside the tower, which affords a good view if the lake.

Chicago Tribune, June 27, 1918

The finance committee turned down a proposition from M. J. Faherty, president of the board of local improvements, for a $20,000 appropriation to move the Chicago avenue water tower, one of the city’s landmarks. The tower will be in the center of North Michigan avenue when the project is completed.

Chicago Tribune, April 12, 1919

The Chicago Historical society has protested against the “removal or destruction” of the Chicago avenue water works tower, “a land mark for fifty years,” to make way for the boulevard link extension.”

Chicago Tribune, October 10, 1926

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An inferno of flame, running with the speed of a swift horse, leaping from block to block, belching clouds of smoke and cinders. A stiff wind carrying millions of firerbrands and hundreds of burning boards from houses and lumber yards, to set scores of new fires. Streets choked with panic-stricken people, abandoning their home. Death near, and destructiin everywhere.

Thus many of the survivors of the great Chicago fire of 1871 attempted yesterday afternoon, st the Chicago Historical Society’s observance of the fifty-fifth anniversary of the conflagration, to descrive the catastrophe.

Each Tells What He Saw.
Many and various were the conversational chapters added to the historical tale. None of the speakers during the afternoon had a more vivid story to tell than had Wallace Rice, son of the former proprietors of the Sherman house, who was a schoolboy at the time of the fire. Mr. Rice gave his auditors some idea of the rapidity with which the fire advanced, when he related that the old Sherman house was ignited by flames from the old home of The Chicago Tribune, in the Ashley block, and that in just eight minutes, it had been destroyed.

Dr. Homer Thomas told of the privations endured by Chicagoans as the result of the burning of the water-works, and of the generosity if those who escaped, mainly west side residents, in caring for the victims. William Thomas and Mrs. Charles Dana were among others who recounted their experiences in fleeing from their homes. It was Obediah Sands who likened the pace of a racehorse to the onrush of the flames.

Wants Water Tower Preserved.
Dr. Otto L. Schmidt, president of the Historical society, introduced Harvey Frost, who in a letter to the Voice of the People column, in The Tribune, had suggested the preservation of the old water tower at Chicago avenue and Michigan as a memorial of the fire. The audience was unanimous in favor of carrying out the plan.

A comment that Michigan avenue should be widened at that point to accommodate traffic was meyt with the declaration that the widening should come on the east side of the street, so as not to disturb the original location of the water tower, the only building in that district to survive the fire.

Wallace Rice advanced the suggestion that the old Chicago courthouse, erected on the site of the present city hall, should be reproduced on the McKinlock campus, as a new home for the Historical society. Both the architecture and the size of the building would lend themselves admirably to the purpose, he declared.

Two “creations” of Worth of Paris, designed in 1871, were worn by Mrs. Mariam Pleak and Mrs. Leroy Kellogg, who impersonated the former owners of the gowns, Mrs. August Harris Burley, mother of Clarence Burley, a former president of the Historical society, and Mrs. T. B. Carter. Dwight Hubbart impersonated Clarence Eddy, a famous organist of that period.

The completion of the Michigan Avenue Bridge in 1920 joined Michigan Avenue below the river and Pine Street above it into a single street. The photo above is from 1926.

Chicago Tribune, June 13, 1933

PLAQUES INSTALLED IN WATER TOWER HONOR FORMER CITY ENGINEERS.

Chicago Tribune, January 23, 1934

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Scaffolding around the old Chicago water tower at Chicago and Michigan avenues. The landmark is being repaired with federal funds.

Chicago Tribune, January 28, 1934

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View of Lake Shore Drive from the Water Tower in 1889 and 1934.

Chicago Tribune, June 23, 1934

poster A force of 73 CWA workmen was engaged yesterday in tuckpointing the old Chicago avenue water tower, near north side landmark, and the adjoining city pumping station at Chicago and Michigan avenues. The men will be at work another two months, it was estimated by Commissioner of Public Works Hewitt, working 24 hours a week. The project will cost $35,000.

840 N. Michigan building

Chicago Tribune, March 28, 1967

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Mayor Daley and more than 400 guests joined in a sentimental rendition of “Happy Birthday, Dear Water Tower” yesterday in celebration of the building’s 100th birthday.

The birthday party was held in the Sheraton-Chicago hotel. It was sponsored by the Greater North Michigan Avenue association.

The event opened what Mayor Daley has proclaimed to be “Water Tower week in Chicago.” The tower cornerstone was dedicated March 25, 1867.

Hides the Standpipe
The building that has become almost a symbol of Chicago was designed as a coverup—the 138-foot standpipe it hides was regarded as an eyesore by the residents of stately homes nearby.

The mayor, “on behalf of the people of Chicago and in the true spirit of the water tower,” presented a piece of surface stone from the tower to Robert E. Slater, president of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance company.

Slater said the stone will be implanted into the 100-story John Hancock center, which is being constructed at Delaware place and Michigan avenue.

Photographs of the tower thru its 100 years were shown at the party. Clement M. Silvestro, director of the Chicago Historical society, pointed out that the castle-like building resisted the flames of the Chicago fire of 1871, which destroyed its neighbors.

Becomes “Ugly” Eyesore
Architect William W. Boyington had been commissioned to design a building “with more than usual architectural beauty,” but by the turn of the century it was regarded as ugly by owners of some of the nearby mansions, who campaigned unsuccessfully to have it torn down.

In 1918 plans to tear down the tower to straighten Michigan avenue were changed when a flood of protest was heard by residents.

The tower served no useful purpose for many years, Silvestri said, but Chicagoans look upon it today with affection. “The tower is quaint,” he said. “Even whimsical.”

In a tribute to the tower, Mayor Daley said, “Only by reading the past can we walk properly into the future.”

He called the tower a symbol of Chicago’s great past and predicted that Chicago will be the first city to find the solutions to the problems of health, employment, housing, and education.

Water Tower After Fire

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