One of the few buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire was the Old Chicago Water Tower . It is 
situated at 800 N. Michigan Avenue, near the John Hancock Center and provides a sharp contrast with the surrounding high-rise buildings.
Constructed in 1869 using big limestone blocks, the Chicago Water Tower, with all its small towers in a 'gothic style', resembles more a tiny European 13th century castle than a water tower. It was designed by the 
architect William W. Boyington and houses a 40 meter standpipe which was needed to equalize the pressure of the water pumped from the pumping station to the east. The total height of the tower is 154 ft or 47 m.
Since its survival of the Great Fire, the Chicago Water Tower became one of Chicago's main symbols. The tower became functionally obsolete many years ago, although the pumping station still pumps water for the city.
In May of 1969, during the year of its centennial anniversary, the Chicago Water Tower was selected by the American Water Works Association to be the first American Water Landmark. It now houses a visitor information center and has become one of the major tourist attractions in Chicago.
Working downtown, I notice the hustle and bustle intensify the last two weeks of December. Nearby this site stands another monument of sorts dedicated to capitalism every, Water Tower Place. So, in dedication to all those hearty GeoCachers who brave the traffic and elements to shop or accompany a shopper, we submit this cache.
To log this cache, post a picture of you or your GPS in front of the plaque on the northwest corner of the tower (Not the pumping station) just to left of the entrance to the museum as you face it. The plaque is titled "1869 to 1969". The tower is located on the west side of Michigan Avenue, the pumping station on the east side.
YOU OR GPS MUST BE PRESENT IN THE PHOTO OR YOUR LOG WILL BE DISALLOWED. NO LOGS WITH EDITED PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
LOGS WITHOUT CORRECT PHOTOGRAPHS ARE SUBJECT TO DELETION WITHOUT NOTICE AFTER 72 HRS
The following will not be accepted for the log. It is only offered as a bonus souvenir for you.
As a additional souvenir, there is also a WebCam that is fixed on this location. To assure you are in the picture , sit or stand on the west side of the flower/bush bed locate to the west of the location where you take the above photo. If you are at the right spot you will be lined up directly between the door to the water tower museum and the door to the building directly across (west) from it. The west side is the side opposite Michigan Avenue. Look up toward the camera (NW and up about 4 stories) at either the top of the hour (i.e. 12:00) or at :15, :30 or :45 after the hour. As the specified time approaches, strike your pose. I suggest prior to leaving for this cache you note the difference between you watch and the web cam. Your cohort sitting somewhere at a computer will have until the next refresh in 15 minutes to capture the picture.