Chicago Water Tower

1:500 scale miniature paper model, about 3.75 inches tall when built

The Water Tower was designed by William W. Boyington in 1869 to house the 138-foot standpipe used to pressurize the city's water supply. Just two years later, the little tower miraculously survived the Great Chicago Fire which destroyed a third of the city. Since then its preservation has come to symbolize the city's resilience and ambition.

A 1:400 scale version of this model is printed in the book American Landmarks: Miniature Models to Cut and Assemble

Read more:

• The Great Chicago Fire and the Web of Memory, at the Chicago Historical Society
• Chicago Tribune article about the Great Chicago Fire
• The Water Tower's crenellations inspired the design of early White Castle restaurants
• Unique water towers of the world