Two Portraits of the Water Tower, Chicago, IL

Most of the time I spent in my hometown was characterized by cold and gray weather.  Not necessarily the weather of sun and blue skies that most people consider to be perfect for picture-taking.  Nonetheless, I carried on, camera in hand, and bravely documented what I could.  (Okay, that last bit about bravery is slightly hyperbolic.)  At any rate, one of my Chicago love affairs is with the old, historic Water Tower that graces Michigan Avenue.  Granted, it looks a little anachronistic, with its Medieval castle design, but one thing that I love about Chicago is its ability to house multiple layers of architecture representing varying time periods and sensibilities.  In a world where architecture seems to be growing more generic, and looking the part, as well, it is nice to see historic buildings and their unique character break apart the monotony of modernity.  The Water Tower is one of the few historic buildings downtown that survived the Great Chicago Fire.  Situated right in the middle of upscale Michigan Avenue, it serves as a bridge to an earlier Chicago, one less established, more restless, and eager to prove itself to the world. It symbolizes the greatness of vision that manifests itself today as a world-class American city.  Here are two glimpses of the Water Tower: above is a portrait similar in angle to a Water Tower photo I took several years ago, and below is the Water Tower better contextualized by its surroundings.