The Western Springs Water Tower is a historic landmark on Tower Green in downtown Western Springs, Illinois. You can view the tower’s exterior from nearby public areas, while the Tower Museum at the same address offers set visiting hours and exhibits about the village’s history.
- Location: 914 Hillgrove Avenue, Western Springs, IL 60558
- Museum hours: Open Saturday; closed Sunday to Friday
Where the water tower is
The Western Springs Water Tower is at 914 Hillgrove Avenue, on Tower Green in the center of downtown Western Springs. The Village of Western Springs identifies the historic tower as a feature of the green, while the Western Springs Historical Society names the Tower Museum at that address as the visitor destination.
The tower stands 112.5 feet high at its tallest point and measures 36.5 feet in diameter, with walls 6 feet thick at the base. Its scale and downtown setting make the exterior the natural starting point for a short landmark stop.
What you can see from public areas
From public areas near Tower Green, you can take in the tower’s exterior and its place in downtown. The structure began as the village’s primary water-storage facility after Western Springs started producing its own water in 1892. Its original tank held 133,000 gallons.
The tower’s role later expanded beyond water storage: it housed village offices, a police department, and a police magistrate court until the village offices moved in 1957. The Tower Museum opened in 1970, following three years of renovations. Its permanent and rotating exhibits include first-floor displays about prominent former residents, a village-history timeline, and historic maps.
A fire punctured the tank after lightning struck the tower on August 30, 1991. That episode is one part of a much longer civic history: Charles and Ruth Collins donated Block A to the village on January 27, 1892, for a water tower and public park, with the deed prohibiting commercial use.
How do you get from Hillside to the water tower?
The tower is about a 9-minute drive from Hillside Manor Motel. It is at 914 Hillgrove Avenue, Western Springs, IL 60558, not Hillside.
Hillside-area stops can make a varied day trip, with local history and green space among the options.
For a historic stop nearby, Graue Mill is a destination to visit from Hillside.
Another local outing is Bataan Park, a Hillside park that offers a change of pace from historic sites.
Access and local rules to verify
The Tower Museum is closed on major holiday weekends. If you want to go inside, check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Saturday: 10 AM–12 PM
- Monday to Friday and Sunday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Commuter parking includes unmetered two- or four-hour parking between Grand Avenue and Wolf Road on both sides of the tracks, and on Hillgrove Avenue from Wolf Road east to Howard Avenue.
All-day metered parking on Hillgrove Avenue from Prospect Avenue east to Grand Avenue costs $3 per day. Parking rules and museum access can change, so verify the details with the Village of Western Springs and the Western Springs Historical Society.
FAQs
Is the water tower in Hillside?
No. The Western Springs Water Tower is in downtown Western Springs, at 914 Hillgrove Avenue.
Can you go inside the tower?
The Tower Museum is the visitor destination at the tower’s address. It is open Saturdays, 10:00 AM–noon, and closed on major holiday weekends.
What is the tower’s historic purpose?
It served as the village’s primary water-storage facility after Western Springs began producing its own water in 1892.
How much is all-day metered parking?
All-day metered parking on a section of Hillgrove Avenue costs $3 per day. Unmetered two- or four-hour parking is also available in designated areas.