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

Fountain Court Enhancement

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 26, 2023

1. Fountain Court Enhancement Marker

Inscription. History: The "Gurgoyle" Fountain was first installed in 1895 and then removed in 1908 to make way for a Jens Jensen designed wading pool. In 2002, the fountain was restored from the original J.L. Mott Iron Works molds. Julia Bachrach, Chicago Park District historian, directed the fountain restoration project, and Marion Smith, Wicker Park Garden Club founding member, collaborated with the Chicago Park District on the project. In 2005, Douglas Wood formed and chaired a Wicker Park Advisory Council committee to work with Julia Bachrach, Michael Fus, and Khayma Hashmy to further enhance the court with period urns, benches, and bollard and chain railing. The committee was composed of members of the Wicker Park Advisory Council, Wicker Park Garden Club, Wicker Park Committee, Urban Encounter, Around the Coyote Arts Festival, and Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.

Erected 2007.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Jens Jensen series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 41° 54.468′ N,

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87° 40.612′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Wicker Park. It can be reached from North Damen Avenue south of West Le Moyne Street, on the right when traveling north. The plaque is located on the wall, beneath an urn, next to stairs leading to the fountain from the northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1425 North Damen Avenue, Chicago IL 60622, 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: Charles Gustavus Wicker (within shouting distance of this marker); Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860–1941) (within shouting distance of this marker); Nelson Algren (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Nelson Algren

Wicker Park Fountain and plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 26, 2023

2. Wicker Park Fountain and plaque

(about 700 feet away); Wicker Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Wicker Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Wicker Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Model 1912 4.7 Inch Howitzer (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Fountain Court Enhancement. The outer granite basin of the original 1895 fountain still exists, but the original cast-iron fountain in the center was removed in 1908 by famed landscape architect Jens Jensen, the superintendent of Chicago's West Park System, with the fountain being converted into a children's wading pool.

Also see . . . Wicker (Charles, Joel) Park--Chicago Park District.

Excerpt: "Between 1892 and 1895, a fanciful fountain was installed in the park. The cut-granite fountain had an outer basin which still exists, lovely ornamentation, and floral urns. In the center was a cast-iron fountain with foliage motifs and small gargoyle faces from which water was sprayed."

(Submitted on July 29, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 26, 2023

3. Wicker Park

Entrance to the park at Damen and Wicker Park avenues

Fountain Court (1906) image. Click for full size.

Charles R. Clark, photographer; courtesy of Chicago History Museum, circa 1906

4. Fountain Court (1906)

An early 20th century view of the fountain

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on March 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.