Among the most distinctive landmarks in Chicago’s northwest suburbs is Niles’ unexpected Leaning Tower. 

This architectural curiosity is a precise half-scale version of Italy’s famous Pisa tower, rising 94 feet tall with a 28-foot diameter and leaning a significant 7.4 feet, according to the town’s website.

But what led to this striking Italian tribute being built in the American Midwest?

The tower’s origins date back to the 1920s and entrepreneur Robert Ilg, owner of the 22-acre Ilgair Park with its two large outdoor pools. 

Ilg needed a substantial water tower for the park, but his admiration for Italian design inspired him to commission more than just a functional structure. 

He opted for a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, constructed from reinforced concrete and completed in 1934.

Later, in 1960, Ilg’s family donated part of the park, including the tower, for the creation of the Leaning Tower YMCA. 

The donation came with the condition that the YMCA allocate a minimum of $500 annually for maintenance until 2059. 

Over the years, this funding proved insufficient, leading the tower to show signs of wear, particularly widening cracks caused by the area’s damaging freeze-thaw cycles.

Recognizing the tower’s historical and cultural significance, the village of Niles took proactive measures towards its preservation. 

In 1991, the village formalized a sister-city relationship with Pisa, Italy, thereby strengthening its ties to the original monument. 

Subsequently, in 1995, the village entered into a lease agreement for the tower with the YMCA and initiated a comprehensive $1.2million renovation project. 

This extensive undertaking involved crucial structural repairs, updated lighting systems on all eight floors, the creation of a new plaza adorned with four fountains, a 30-foot reflecting pool, a classic telephone booth, and significantly enhanced landscaping.

The newly refurbished Leaning Tower Plaza was formally dedicated on June 26, 1997.

The tower’s importance gained further official acknowledgment in 2019 when it was nominated by the National Park Service for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Championed actively by the Village Manager’s Office, the nomination received unanimous approval from the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council, securing its place on the prestigious list that April. 

This designation served not only to recognize the tower’s architectural and cultural value but also provided valuable incentives for ongoing preservation efforts and increased public visibility.

In recent years, initiatives to restore and potentially reopen the tower to climbers have gathered steam. 

The full restoration of the historic bells was completed in December, marking a significant milestone. 

Seven bells were successfully restored to play a full musical scale and reinstalled in the tower, while two others, deemed unrestorable, are now displayed at ground level with informational plaques.

Further improvements included the installation of higher safety railings along the walkways and substantial concrete restoration work, further enhancing the structure’s long-term integrity.

Today, the tower’s restored bells ring out daily at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, and 6pm, performing melodies such as ‘Red River Valley,’ ‘On Top of Old Smokey,’ ‘My Favorite Things,’ and a bespoke tune for Niles, supplemented by chimes every 15 minutes. 

Now open for public enjoyment, the Leaning Tower of Niles encourages visitors to take photos and relax within the nearby picturesque plaza.