Here's a book I just got from Anne. She picked it up for me during her recent trip to Chicago. When we were there together in April of 2007, this book was advertised but hadn't been released. I am so happy to finally have a copy. If the cover art doesn't grab you, then read no further. I feel a strong nostalgic affinity for old wooden water tanks. I guess it's because I grew up seeing them in my first neighborhood, in Cleveland around East 154 St. I remember factory shift whistles and train whistles, so water tanks were probably a part of the first few years of my life.
Anyway, Chicago has more of these old beauties than most industrial cities. This is a direct result of the famous Great Chicago Fire. When we were in Chicago for Tom & Kristy's wedding, I enjoyed spotting water tanks out the windows of the various trains we took to get around. In fact, I took a picture of one out the window of our hotel.
So go out and get this book - it contains both photographs and wonderful paintings. If you're still not sure about water tanks, stroll through the amazing collection of photos at the Chicago Water Tower Project. Then look for the book, and look for water tanks in your own travels. Do it while you can, because they are surely on an Endangered Species List.
