National Register of Historic Places

Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Listed
April 22, 1975
Type
District
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
75000644

About this property

The Old Chicago Water Tower District is a historic district along the Magnificent Mile shopping district in the Near North Side community area of Chicago, Illinois. The district, located on both sides of North Michigan Avenue between East Chicago and East Pearson Streets, includes the Chicago Water Tower, Chicago Avenue Pumping Station and the fire house for Engine 98 of the Chicago Fire Department. The Chicago Landmark district was first designated on October 6, 1971, and was amended on June 10, 1981 to include Engine 98. The Water Tower and Pumping Station were jointly added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 23, 1975. In addition the Tower was named an American Water Landmark in 1969. The Water Tower was also one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire, and is the namesake of the nearby Water Tower Place. The district was once called Tower Town or Towertown and was known for its bohemian artists and nightlife in the early 20th century. In the 1910s, artists moved into an area near Pine St (now North Michigan Avenue) that was being deserted by affluent residents. Tower Town was the resultant artistic district, and it was successful in part because of its proximity to affluent patrons who remained on the Gold Coast. A new bridge connecting the area to the Chicago Loop helped transform Tower Town into an expensive commercial district. Bars and nightclubs in the area included Chez Pierre, the Dil Pickle Club, Kelly's Stables, the Little Club, the Paradise Club and the Tent.

Location

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
41.89726, -87.62390

Categories

ENGINEERINGARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station

This page lists Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station report
Or see a real report first

Nearby Historic Sites

Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago
Industrial
0.1 mi
Quigley Preparatory Seminary
Industrial
0.1 mi
Hotel St. Benedict Flats
Industrial
0.1 mi
America Fore Building
Industrial
0.1 mi
Palmolive Building
Industrial
0.2 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Fort Dearborn (Chicago Massacre)
1812Early Republic
1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station listed on the National Register?

Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 22, 1975.

What type of historic resource is Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station?

Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station?

The period of significance for Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More in Cook County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Cook County.

Explore CookCounty ›

More historic places in Illinois

Browse all historic places in Illinois.

View Illinoishistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Illinois history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Illinoishistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report