Why Illinois Built a Leaning Tower | The Leaning Tower of Niles

[@jeffjay9350]

I grew up in Niles. In the 70's my dad took us up to the top. There used to be a gift shop in the base. The YMCA charged a fee to go up. Btw, niles started as an overnight destination for funerals. Folks would travel "out" to Saint Alberts cemetery, and stay overnight in the local inn. Before going back to Chicago.

[@pghrpg4065]

I stayed not far from the Leaning Tower the first time I was ever in Chicagoland back when you used a 1-800 number to book a room. While my friends and I knew we were going to see major landmarks in Chicago like the Sears Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and Navy Pier, the Leaning Tower of Niles was a quirky surprise (one of the best things about traveling). Thinking of that trip (which was only two nights) brings back good memories, and the Leaning Tower is part of those memories.

[@Frimsure]

my grandfather was village clerk until 1989. when he retired. I spent my childhood there

[@basshorseman998]

I also grew up in Niles, now in NJ. My late wife and I went back with the intent of moving back home. I did get many good photos of the tower, MTHS (My high school), and many other personal landmarks. I was told by local friends the tower would be rededicated and open but, apparently that did not happen. My wife passed away so I never got back as planned sadly.

[@XprPrentice]

I've driven past this many times and always wondered what in the world it was all about. I had no idea it was as old - or notable - as it is. What a weird, fascinating thing!

[@FarlesNCharge]

I lived in Illinois 43 years and never knew this existed. Thank You.

[@jamesvegeais6675]

The railway was extended UP to Niles. Niles is north of Chicago.

[@renneedwards9826]

Yup! Not too far from the southwest Chicago Suburbs that I grew up around. 💯💙

[@pices73]

I grew up in the area and now live in Niles. I worked at the leaning tower YMCA as the building engineer. By the time I got there the village owned it, could not get in. I was able to see some old pictures and plaque that the YMCA had up on but took it down after the ownership switched to the village. From my understanding the tower was to cover the stand pipe. The stand pipe helps create pressure for the jets, like a water tower. I do have a picture of what it looked like before it was the YMCA. It has all the old pools.

[@rv1565]

I would love to see those photos! Drove by 2x today…isn’t the Y being demolished?

[@ghost307]

So it was built for the same reason as the Chicago Water Tower?

[@miked51]

Um, 1:20. I live in the far northwest of Chicago less than a half mile from the Leaning Tower. I have never heard anyone say we had to "go down to Niles" unless they were up north...beyond Niles.🤔

[@Will-me8zw]

Hey Ryan, love your show! Maybe do an episode on the pyramid in Gurnee, IL. It's pretty cool and I think people would enjoy the site.

[@BankC6969]

Where in Gurnee? I live in the NW burbs and don’t know where it is… 🫣🙈🙈🙈

[@Will-me8zw]

@@BankC6969 its off Dilleys Rd. Technically Wadsworth but just down the road from six flags. Google it. Its even cool on maps.

[@BankC6969]

@@Will-me8zw Cool! I looked it up after I was done watching the video and how cool! I’m planning a trip there now! Gurnee Mills, the amusement park, and now the pyramid!!! Thank you

[@TheFibtastic]

It currently signals that I’m at Costco, as it’s right in front of it in Niles.

[@CortexNewsService]

That's what I thought. I used to have a membership at that Costco

[@bzybny9697]

I pass by this everyday and always wondered why it was there, but never enough to google it. Thanks!

[@claudiamann7111]

Very interesting. I hope they will do the needed upkeep. It's a shame that they can't open it to the public. Thanks so much.

[@briangarrow448]

What a great story! Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@toyyoda3710]

I was the first civilian to try the looping water slide at action park. It was maybe 1985? I could see it moved to the left so i pointed my feet that way and could tell from my one run if you didn't it meant you would not make it through the loop as it was not a fast loop despite the small circumference. My bro and i did every ride there several times with our 3 or 4 visits to the park. We were very capable and never really got hurt but did get kicked off a few rides for being too rad which was freakin awesome! And Yes ... flipping guy was my brother on the rope swing and i went next and went way too high and nearly killed myself on the "pier"

[@stevenl9443]

As a tot this was the one building that always let me know I was getting close to my grandparents house in Skokie❤

[@danieldipalma704]

This video was a nice surprise! I didn't know there was a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

[@33Donner77]

I lived in the area and went to the YMCA there. It's probably best to keep it shut to the public. I was also at the Leaning Tower in Pisa in 1980, and there were no fences on the levels open to the public. I believe they now have fences do to some tourists who were not sure-footed.

[@petermiesler9452]

WOW, how cool it's been saved. I was there around 1965ish (at 10) with the dad of some friends, who was familiar with it, closed, a little down run, but accessible. (Thanks, another fun forgotten memory comes back to life)

[@johngreenlees]

The Chicago surface-line railway was not extended DOWN to Niles. Niles is NORTH of the city. Which is UP. Your "Points of Interest" map insert STARTS with the current location of Niles at the far NORTH/top of the map to the upper left - and then pans further south as you say the surface-line was extended down. Just pointing that out.

[@OmarAlohaDude]

Thank you for sharing! Having grown up in the area, I remember when it was in great disrepair? Glad to say that I think we will see tours again one day soon.

[@alex_stanley]

King Spa in Niles is one of the best Korean saunas in the entire country. And, at $50, it's probably the cheapest place to stay overnight in Chicago.

[@oldodger]

So much to learn from you....

[@PeterTea]

Lol. I just went by there the other day. My dad was going to Costco there and went a bit far so he cut through the leaning tower YMCA parking lot. I think that that Y isn’t in use anymore.

[@ramencurry6672]

Not from the Midwest but I did drive by it by accident during a Chicago vacation trip. It was interesting

[@JG-tt4sz]

I grew up near Niles. A lot of Italians lived there. Some were mobbed up.

[@lauraweiss7875]

I grew up in Niles, and you are correct. Mayor for Life Nick Blase was about as corrupt as they come.

[@alexys72904]

Oh Geez. That was your takeaway? Not sure that but was necessary.

[@ntatenarin]

I remember visiting the Leaning Tower of Niles for fun before visiting the real thing in Pisa. Those were good times, especially since it was my birthday when I went to Pisa!

[@msbgone]

Oh, awesome, had many camps at YMCA with scary stories there and I remember them like yesterday.... it was many decades ago! :) Great Vid!

[@aaronhernandez2971]

Care to share a couple stories?😁

[@msbgone]

@@aaronhernandez2971 too scary to share, but I can say this place is haunted! LOL

[@awookiefromendor]

Shout out to 8000 block represent.

[@TealCheetah]

It's more interesting to look at then a water tower!

[@MediaWest]

I used to go to YMCA summer camp there!

[@lih4326]

my wife and I’s first date was at that tower. i have a soft spot in my heart for that spot

[@JJW77]

Due to you, now I realize that the US have a copy of the Leaning Tower. Thanks for the history lesson!

[@Robobot1]

I got this from the official website for the tower Hear the Restored Bells Ring Each day the historic restored bells ring for several minutes on the hour at at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM with familiar tunes and old favorites like Red River Valley, On Top of Old Smokey, My Favorite Things and a custom melodie just for Niles! A "clock chime" will ding every 15 minutes.

[@mikedrown2721]

I visited the leaning tower of Pisa in 1967

[@OHOWUNEEDIT]

I was there yesterday! 😅

[@ojsimpin8346]

Right by my work!

[@plisskenationbackfromthede3657]

I never knew about this til i had a job call in niles with a buddy a couple years ago. We thought maybe we got too baked and ended up in italy somehow 😂. Noone believed us that we saw a leaning tower when we mentioned it lol

[@hiramlewis3873]

I remember seeing this in 1977 or so. It was near a baseball camp for MLB prospects. Fast Forward 22 years I would be working in Niles IL at Sears. I never knew that was in Niles. I know the real one is in Italy

[@1puppetbike]

I remember finding the leaning tower of Niles decades ago while riding my Vespa. Pretty ironic. Now I live a few minutes away in R.P. Life's a beach!

[@BobMazzone]

Your video on Lake Shore Drive (LSD) was very good except for one mistake and one omission. The mistake is that toward the end of your video, you show the University of Illinois at Chicago but called it the University of Chicago. Hugh mistake. Please correct this. The omission is that you do not mention the notorious "S" curve near the Chicago River being re-constructed to a gentler curve between 1982 and 1987. This was a huge change for the people of Chicago.

[@throttleblip1]

Living off Harlem Ave, it's just down the road.

[@alexunderwood7899]

Used to go by this when I'd go to Grainger's data center.

[@Bob-B-.]

I love everything is faithfully replicated except the modern doors. Like any second the janitor is going to come out and start vacuuming.

[@Terinije]

Hope you guys also do a video on the greatest landmark of the Chicago suburbs, the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette.

[@TheRandompaint]

I live 10 minutes away 😂 I love seeing videos on it!

[@jwillisbarrie]

Thanks for adding actual captions for the Deaf

[@madderanger7838]

Nicholas Blase is STILL mayor !?! He's been mayor since the 70's. He does a good job.

[@TyChee]

I didn’t know about this one. Love stuff like this. Have you done a video about the building that looks like a picnic basket in Ohio?

[@maxswagcaster5315]

Funny I see this video when I was over there yesterday and took a picture of my car infront of it to make people think I drove to Italy 😂

[@SuperNicktendo]

I live close by so it's right where I get groceries. Butts right up to an Aldi.

[@andreweden9405]

Can you please do a tour of the Cupola of the US Capitol Building, and show the view from it? Thanks!

[@trentweyermuller6977]

You missed an opportunity to show the revitalization plan from niles

[@rogerpenske2411]

Oh yes, the leaning tower YMCA. Certainly one of Chicago most interesting structures

[@skitz0phrenic]

The building behind it is literally haunted

[@brianb69692003]

54 yo Navy Corpsman living in MO. Is it worth a 2hr Drive? I mean, is there anything else to Do There? The Superman Courthouse in Metropolis, IL (and the local shops) are Worth the Drive... :-) Please Google it...

[@chardelraconner7324]

since 1966 the meteor shower numeric was indicated from non numeric evolution of instruction to gravitational leveling that was once projected by polar vortex draft and vertices timing that would be perfectly vertical

[@robbieshock5004]

I was just taking about this to a family member on Easter

[@isaacvice8332]

I like that the town motto is "Where People Count". I was wondering though, are they doing anything else?

[@MustacheDLuffy]

I don’t even remember that being their motto

[@betweenthepoles]

@@MustacheDLuffy I only remember it being “The All America City.” I even have a charm for my charm bracelet commemorating Niles winning the All America City award in 1963.

[@christophershoe9642]

Why have a bell if you can't ring it?! 🛎🙄

[@christophershoe9642]

The Liberty Bell? A famous bell that could be damaged by using it. A crack, a swing at it could damage it? Hell yeah, we should ring that sucker every day. If it breaks, we'll fix it. That's what we do!!

[@LanceGrey]

Only seen it when driving past.

[@Fireball_]

I've been there and am going to the real one next year

[@jenniferadams7582]

While not imoressive architecturally, Illinois has a now defunct water tower shaped like a ketchup bottle. Tower is still there.

[@ShelterCats]

Being on the national register of historic places does not make this a national landmark. Its an honorary designation that does not protect it from anything. Landmark is something totally different. I was part of the team that got the ss United States on the national register so trust me on this.

[@tastemakerguidie]

the aesthetic duplication of a structurural object isn't occuring

[@butterfIyy1]

Lol cool, im like 5 min away from niles 😄

[@robloxmanm]

i live in niles

[@tastemakerguidie]

bass pro shop

[@chardelraconner7324]

Galileoft?

[@chardelraconner7324]

one slice off the top ; c'mon

[@chardelraconner7324]

it's insulting to away that it doesn't have similar crafted laborers ; to Jesus

[@chardelraconner7324]

you wanteducation written that way ; equations postulates abruptly

[@DZ-tj2qk]

It would’ve probably looked cool back when it was built with the park and pools but now it looks out of place.

[@tastemakerguidie]

doesn't happen oftentimes

[@chardelraconner7324]

(what do think diablo)

[@chardelraconner7324]

half the cost ; right

[@chardelraconner7324]

bouyancy you claimed

[@-Katastrophe]

This man's background music before the drop is way too Joan Osborne, but I dig the content anyway.

[@chardelraconner7324]

do copy what don't understand in dew point time ; deja vu

[@ricefields9121]

Ma perché l'avete fatta pendere? 😭

[@tastemakerguidie]

not getting at home

[@celiagorleski2716]

I grew up in Illinois. Why ask why.

[@danielthoman7324]

The leaning Tower of Pizza. 🥺

[@michaelpiwcewicz1412]

WHY NOT/// LETS NOT WASTE IT ON SCHOOL CHOICE OR FIXING PTOHOLES

[@_Breakdown]

Sheer folly (my opinion). Why didn’t they just build a STRAIGHT VERSION that didn’t lean ??? Then they wouldn’t have the structural problems

[@Frank00]

This sounds more like a bunch of government overruns and blunders

[@stephencurry8552]

Frank: You are stunningly illiterate. It was built with private funds by a businessman who most obviously cared deeply about his community and about beauty.

[@MustacheDLuffy]

Did you watch the video. It was created a hide a water aquaduct

[@Frank00]

@@stephencurry8552 you need to watch the video again dear