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

Garfield Park

Photographed By Sean Flynn, March 25, 2024

1. Garfield Park Marker

Inscription. Originally known as Central Park, Garfield Park was conceived as the centerpiece of the West Park System in 1869, and was renamed after President James Garfield's assassination in 1881. Plans for the entire ensemble of Humboldt, Garfield, Douglas parks and connecting boulevards were completed in 1871 by William Le Baron Jenney, the designer known today as the father of the skyscraper. As the ambitious plan could not be realized all at once, the park developed in stages, beginning with the east lagoon.

In 1905, Jens Jensen, now revered as the Dean of the Prairie style in landscape architecture transformed unfinished areas of Garfield Park into beautiful gardens and naturalistic landscapes. He also designed the Garfield Park Conservatory, one of the world's largest and most unique glass buildings built for the display of plants. In 1927, a ten million dollar bond issue led to the construction of several new Garfield Park buildings. The most ornate was the "Gold Dome Building", the Spanish Revival style headquarters for the West Park System. The office space was no longer needed in the 1930's, and the building was converted into the Garfield Park fieldhouse, which continues to offer numerous cultural and athletic programs.

Erected by Chicago Park District.

Topics and series. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 41° 53.094′ N, 87° 43.238′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Garfield Park. Marker is on North Hamlin Avenue south of West Lake Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is a short walk from the southeast corner of Hamlin and Lake. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Garfield Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Garfield Park Natural Area (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Boulevard System (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Garfield Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Garfield Park Natural Area (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Garfield Park Natural Area (approx. ¼ mile away); 132nd Infantry Monument

Photographed By Sean Flynn, March 25, 2024

2. Garfield Park Marker

Chicago's elevated train track atop Lake Street (the CTA Green Line) runs behind this sign, to the north.

(approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Garfield Park (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The historical text is on the rear of the Garfield Park sign that faces Lake Street. At least a handful more identical markers can be found within this 172.5-acre park.

Also see . . . Garfield (James) Park. (Submitted on March 26, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Garfield Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, March 25, 2024

3. Garfield Park

The marker text is on the rear of this sign. The Garfield Park Fieldhouse and its famed gold dome are in the far background, partially obscured by the trees.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 32 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.