Lincoln Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lion House, Lincoln Park Zoo

Perkins, Fellows & Hamilton, architects; 1912

— Chicago Landmark —

Lion House, Lincoln Park Zoo Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 8, 2025

1. Lion House, Lincoln Park Zoo Marker

Inscription. Located in one of the country's oldest municipal zoological parks, the Lion House blends both the grandly-scaled public architecture of the Classical style with the innovative Prarie style developed by Chicago architects in the early 20th century. The building was designed by important architect Dwight H. Perkins, an advocate of park and school reform. The building has excellent brickwork and terra-cotta ornament, unique lion mosaic, and a grand interior with a vaulted Guastavino-tile ceiling, an innovative construction at the time.

Designated on November 30, 2005
Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected 2005 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 41° 55.279′ N, 87° 38.023′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lincoln Park. It can be reached from the intersection of N. Stockton Drive and W. Webster Avenue.

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The marker is located inside the Lion House in the Lincoln Park Zoo, in the building's western end. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2001 N Clark Street, Chicago IL 60614, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Park Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); Grey Seal (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Grey Seal (within shouting distance of this marker); Eadie Levy's Landmark Café (within shouting distance of this marker); Japanese Macaque (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); North American River Otter (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named North American River Otter (about 300 feet away); Snowy Owl (about 400

The marker inside the Lion House (2025) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 10, 2025

2. The marker inside the Lion House (2025)

The marker is currently inside the Lion House, near the west entryway.

feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . . Lion House: Rewriting the Story of Chicago's Historic 1912 Wildlife Center. Arch Daily looks at a renovation of the Lion House that was completed in 2021.

Excerpt: "Located at the heart of Lincoln Park Zoo, the only privately managed free admission zoo in the country, the historic lion house was originally designed by architect Dwight Perkins and completed in 1912. With its decorative brickwork and terra-cotta ornament, lion mosaics and grand hall with a vaulted Guastavino tile ceiling, it was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2005. The design team worked closely with the Commission on Chicago Landmarks to preserve, restore and enhance the architecturally significant features of the original Arts and Crafts structure, including the masonry, clay tile roof, and copper gutter, along with windows and doors. The vaulted ceiling is lightweight yet structurally bearing in a similar fashion to old-world cathedral vaults as the lion house’s most unique feature."

(Submitted on March 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)