The tower gained prominence after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 . While some incorrectly believe that the tower was the only building to survive the fire , a few other buildings in the burned district survived along with the tower . The tower was the only public building in the burned zone to survive , and is one of just a few of the surviving structures still standing . In the years since the fire , the tower has become a symbol of old Chicago and of the city 's recovery from the fire . In 1918 , when Pine Street was widened , the plans were altered in order to give the Water Tower a featured location
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Chicago Water Tower