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

Garfield Park

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 8, 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 • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield, and the Jens Jensen series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 41° 52.865′ N, 87° 42.937′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Garfield Park. It is on South Central Park Boulevard near Madison Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in Garfield Park, on a green strip of land east of Central Park Avenue, between Madison Street and Washington Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60624, 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: Garfield Park Natural Area (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Talking Tree Project (about 600 feet away); Garfield Park Fieldhouse (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Talking Tree Project (about 600 feet away); Habitats: Home for Wildlife (about 700 feet away);

Garfield Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 8, 2024

2. Garfield Park

The front of the sign, with Washington Boulevard in the rear.

a different marker also named Garfield Park Natural Area (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 (approx. ¼ mile 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. At least a handful more identical markers can be found within this 172.5-acre park.

Also see . . . Garfield (James) Park. From the Chicago Park District (Submitted on April 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 8, 2024

3. Garfield Park

The marker is on the left; in the background to the right is the Garfield Park Fieldhouse with its trademark gold dome. If you zoom in, you can see two of the park's famous public art pieces in the distance: the Lincoln the Rail-Splitter statue, and the statue of Robert Burns.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.