Chicago's Old Water Tower Haunted by the Great Chicago Fire

Rumor has it that Chicago's Old Water Tower is haunted.

Standing strong with its beautiful architecture, the Old Water Tower in Chicago appears as an image from another era. The limestone structure is castle like and emanates a majestic air. Serving as Chicago's tourist information office, no one would ever suspect that this beautiful building has witnessed one of Chicago's most devastating events, the Great Chicago Fire.

On October 8th, 1871 a fire began on the O'Leary farm that would soon burn its way into the history books of Chicago. Destroying 2,000 acres and virtually every structure in its path, the Great Chicago Fire claimed nearly 300 lives. The ravishing fire did not halt until the morning of October 10th, 1871, when rain began to fall, helping to extinguish the fires flames.

Among the city's smoldering embers the Old Water Tower still stood tall. It had withstood the fierce fire. While the Water Tower still lives, stories suggest that a brave water worker occupying the tower did not. Legend suggests the worker remained in the tower pumping water until it was no longer successful. Believing that death was eminent, the water works employee climbed the tower's stairs and hung himself, in an attempt to escape a fiery death.

Multiple reports have been made citing an image of a man hanging in the upper windows of the Old Water Tower. Could it be a residual vision of a tragic event that took place over a hundred years ago? No one knows for sure, but the next time you visit Chicago, peer into the windows of the Old Water Tower and decide for yourself.

Location of the Old Water Tower

806 North Michigan Ave
Chicago, Illinois