Western Springs in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Water Tower

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

1. The Water Tower Marker

Inscription. Erected in 1892 as part of the Western Springs water system. The tower also housed the village offices until 1968. Designed by Benezette Williams. Constructed of Naperville stone, cut and squared by hand on the premises. It was built without derrick, and financed by special assessment of property owners.

Height: 112 ft. Base diameter 36½ ft. Wall thickness 4 Ft. Tank capacity 169,000 gallons.

Erected 1973 by Western Springs Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 41° 48.584′ N, 87° 54.054′ W. Marker is in Western Springs, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Hillgrove Avenue north of Lawn Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is affixed to the Western Springs Water Tower, next to its door. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 914 Hillgrove Avenue, Western Springs IL 60558, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Western Springs Water Tower (a few steps from this marker); Korean War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); World War II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); H.G. Maxted (a few steps from this marker); The August Ekdahl House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Village of Western Springs: The Early Years (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. ¼ mile away); James D. Stevenson (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Western Springs.

More about this marker. A plaque above this one denotes the building's placement on the National Register of Historic Places on June 4, 1981. A 2015 marker with more historical information about the water tower can

Western Springs Water Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn

2. Western Springs Water Tower

The "Water Tower" marker is to the right of the door.

be found a few steps away in the sidewalk in front of the water tower.

Regarding The Water Tower. The water tower housed municipal offices, including the police department and a courtroom, until 1968. In 1970 it became home to the Western Springs Historical Society. In 1991, the roof was struck by lightning and caught fire, causing extensive damage; the building was restored and reopened in 1993.

Also see . . . Tower Museum official page. The Western Springs Historical Society operates a museum out of the water tower.

Excerpt: "On December 12, 1891, Mr. Wickerson, the village president at the time, sought the village’s right to place a water tower on land that had been originally known as 'Block A.' On January 27, 1892 Charles and Ruth Collins donated 'Block A' to the village of Western Springs with the understanding that it be used solely as the site for a water tower and public park. The deed also specified that the land could not be used for commercial purposes either then or at any time in the future. Design and construction of the new water tower began shortly thereafter. Both were a collaboration between Benezette
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

3. Western Springs Water Tower
Williams and Edgar Williams of the firm of Williams and Williams (which later became known as MacRichie and Nichol) and Ethan Philbrick. All three were civil engineers and residents of Western Springs. Benezette Williams and Ethan Philbrick eventually served as village presidents. The cost of the Tower combined with the sewer and pumping system and the pumping station was $79,119.10."

(Submitted on September 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

4. The Water Tower Marker

The NHRP plaque is above the Water Tower Marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 325 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.