Michigan & Chicago

The Water Tower at Michigan and Chicago Avenues has long been a symbol of the city's survival. Built in 1869 as part of Chicago's new water system, the Water Tower was one of a handful of buildings to survive the Chicago Fire, which began on October 11, 1871, lasted 27 hours, and destroyed a three and a half square mile area of the city. The Water Tower remained virtually untouched by this disaster, and continues to remind Chicagoans of their city's vitality.