Portage Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Portage Park
Portage Park's original plan and initial construction were completed by the American Park Builders Company between 1913 and 1917. By the 1920s, the new park was thriving. The Fieldhouse (now known as the Cultural Center) was constructed in 1922 and the Gymnasium (which is now the Fieldhouse) was built in 1928. The park became the center of the community. It provided athletics and team sports, cultural and club activities, festivities and special events.
In 1934, during the great depression, the city's twenty two independent park commissions were consolidated into the Chicago Park District and federal funds were secured through President Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration (WPA). Portage Park received numerous WPA improvements through the late 1930s including additional plantings whimsical stonework fountains and gateways, flood lighting for ball fields, and a comfort station. Over the years, Portage Park has continued to serve as the center of the community and has become known for its nationally important swimming facilities.
Chicago Parks
As one of the nation's largest park systems, the Chicago Park District encompasses hundreds of parks and playgrounds, as well as beaches harbors, pools, and golf courses. City founders envisioned well-cared for open spaces and quality programs tailored to the unique needs of our diverse neighborhoods. We're still committed to this vision today.
Erected by Chicago Park District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Native Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 41° 57.402′ N, 87° 46.018′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Portage Park. Marker is on North Central Avenue near West Berteau Avenue. The marker is next to the park entrance at the corner of Central and Berteau avenues. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4100 North Long Avenue, Chicago IL 60634, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Romanian American War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Portage Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); Henry Horner (approx. 1.2 miles away); Cook County Poorhouse (approx. 1.2 miles away); Orphaned and Abandoned Infants and Children (approx. 1.2 miles away); Unknown and Itinerant Poor of Cook County (approx. 1.2 miles away); Cook County Cemetery at Dunning — 1854 (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
More about this marker. An identical marker can be found in the park about 350 yards south-southeast of here, in the southwesterly corner of the park.
Also see . . . Chicago Park District: Portage Park. (Submitted on March 13, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 13, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.