Constructed in 1869, the Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station are best known for being among the lucky few structures in this area to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The Gothic Revival castle-like structure, with its 154-foot tower and yellow Joliet limestone, is a great symbol of Chicago. The pumping station on the east side of Michigan Avenue, which pumped-in clean Lake Michigan water from about two miles offshore, now contains the Lookingglass Theater Company.


The small park on the west side of Michigan Avenue, called Jane Byrne Park after Chicago's first female mayor, contains Chicago's iconic Water Tower. Today the tower contains a small art gallery of rotating exhibits, so feel free to step inside if open. The park itself is a popular spot to take a break and people watch.



SIDE TRIP!
Head west on Chicago Avenue to State Street, then south on State Street 1/2 block to beautiful Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago's only Roman Catholic Cathedral. The Cathedral's ornate ceiling, which was meticulously restored to its original state after a 2009 roof fire, makes this a side trip worth taking!