this article is incredible. it starts out strong:
The Leaning Tower of Niles is a half-size replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa located in Niles, Illinois.
like sure, fine, that sounds like an intensely american thing.
Completed in 1934, it was commissioned by industrialist Robert Ilg as part of a recreation park for employees of the Ilg Hot Air Electric Ventilating Company of Chicago.[2][3]
Great. Perfect. Ideal encapsulation of the bit.
Ilgair Park's pools and artificial lake needed a large water tank and pumping equipment to function, which Robert Ilg decided to hide by building a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa to house them.[1]
What?
The Leaning Tower of Niles contains five bells. Three of the bells were cast in Cavezzo, Italy, in 1623, 1735 and 1747.[8]
...what?
How they came to be included in the tower is not known.[9]
basically. perfect article