A Midwestern Mirror of Venice

Ever think Venice has an Illinois analog? Enter the Fort Sheridan Water Tower, a nifty replica of St Mark's Campanile, with creamy-yellow bricks and red-terracotta roof giving the game away. Don't be fooled by its romantic appeal, this historic landmark's yarn is just as intriguing as the original.

Nestled in the quaint town of Fort Sheridan, Illinois, the Fort Sheridan Water Tower is a sight to behold. It boasts an uncanny resemblance to the renowned St Mark's Campanile of Venice, Italy, but brace yourself, this character isn't all charm. This architectural feat took shape between 1889 and 1891, using bricks baked from local Lake Bluff clay, meticulously fashioned to mimic the Venetian icon, even down to the creamy-yellow hue. In the good old days, a road snaked through the arch at the tower's base, but today pedestrians get the privilege. Initially standing tall at 227 feet (69 meters), it was discovered to have a structural quirk in 1949, lowered by 58 feet (18 meters) to its current height of 169 feet (52 meters). The National Park Service has recognized its historical significance and placed it on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

A Midwestern Mirror of Venice: Fort Sheridan Water Tower's Venetian Twin

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