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

Columbus Park

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2024

1. Columbus Park Marker

Inscription. Columbus Park
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This park is a premier example of the Prairie Style of landscape architecture. It is considered the masterpiece of landscape architect and conservationist Jens Jensen. Designed between 1915 and 1920, it possesses national significance in commemorating the cultural history of the United States of America.

Erected 2003 by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Jens Jensen, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 41° 52.545′ N, 87° 45.89′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Austin. It is at the intersection of Central Avenue and Gladys Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Central Avenue. The marker is in Columbus Park, on its eastern edge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60644, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Jens Jensen (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Columbus Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); American Elm (Memorial to George Washington) (approx. ¼ mile away); Joseph Jacob Walser House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Reverend Doctor Shelvin Jerome Hall (approx. half a mile away); Reverend Jesse Taylor (approx. 0.7 miles away); Oak Park (approx. ¾ mile away); Austin VFW Post 2955 War Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Columbus Park. The 135-acre Columbus Park was developed by the West Park Commission, one of Chicago's three park commissions that, before merging into the Chicago Park District in the 1930s, created parks across the city during its first

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2024

2. Columbus Park Marker

The park's refectory is obscured by trees but can be seen in the far background on the right.

100 years. When constructed, Columbus Park was the largest west-side park in almost 50 years, and it was the only West Park Commission park designed entirely by its long-time superintendent, famed landscape architect Jens Jensen.

Considered his masterpiece, Jensen employed his Prairie style to its full extent, including the use of native prairie plants and the creation of realistic-looking water features. The park refectory, overlooking the lagoon, was added in 1922, after Jensen had been left his role leading the West Park Commission. Nine acres on the southern edge of the park were lost in 1953 when the Eisenhower Expressway was built.

Also see . . .
1. Columbus (Christopher) Park. Chicago Park District website entry (Submitted on November 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicago's Columbus Park: The Prairie Idealized (Teaching with Historic Places). Internet Archive website entry:
An article about Columbus Park from the National Park Service. (Submitted on November 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Columbus Park Natural Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2024

3. Columbus Park Natural Area

Jens Jensen designed this waterfall and stream, which can be found today in the Columbus Park Natural Area behind the park's refectory.

Columbus Park Refectory image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2024

4. Columbus Park Refectory

The park's refectory, about a quarter-mile northwest of the historical marker, was built in 1922.

Columbus Park image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Chicago Public Library, Chicago Park District Collection, circa 1940

5. Columbus Park

This southward-facing aerial view of Columbus Park, part of the Chicago Public Library's collection of photographs related to the Chicago Park District, is likely from the 1930s or 1940s, as it appears to predate the building of the Eisenhower Expressway, which lopped off about nine acres of land on the park's southern end (the top of this photo). Central Avenue, where this marker is located, runs on the left side.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on November 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on November 4, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.