Being from a newer country, Americans marvel at the old world architecture in countries like Italy. So much so, in fact, that we sometimes replicate their works. In the 1930s in Niles, a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa was erected, giving the town a landmark of their very own.

Just as a reminder, this is what the Leaning Tower of Pisa looks like.
Bob Hall/Flickr
It's about 186 feet tall. Work began on the tower in 1173, and it took 199 years to complete it.
Here's Niles's tower. Looks very similar, right?
Ken Lund/Flickr
Though the structure looks very much the same as the one in Pisa, it is a half-size replica.
It was completed in 1934 as part of a park for Ilg Hot Air Electric Ventilating Company of Chicago employees.
Lawrence Kestenbaum/Flickr
The structure was built to be a water tower for the nearby swimming pools.

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In 1960, the tower was donated to the local YMCA.
Leaning Tower YMCA/Facebook
The organization was then named after the structure, and is called Leaning Tower YMCA to this day.
The Village of Niles purchased the tower from the YMCA for $10 in 2015.
Subham Kumar Saha/Google+
It was determined that over $600,000 in repairs were needed.
Last year, the town passed a referendum approving the renovations.
Bogdan Stepniak/Google+
The restoration process has begun to bring the building back to its former glory.

Have you visited this structure? Let us know in the comments.

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