Lincoln Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Oz Park
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2011
1. Oz Park Marker
Inscription.
Oz Park was created in 1974, as part of an renewal program for the Lincoln Park area. Historically, the neighborhood underwent numerous population shifts and by the 1950s home ownership was declining and many buildings were in sub-standard condition. The Lincoln Park Conservation Association approached the City of Chicago, and a large section of the community was designated as the Lincoln Park Urban Renewal Area. As part of the Urban Renewal Plan, a 13 acre site was identified for a new park. The city council approved the sale of property in 1967, however, the Chicago Park District was not able to acquire the land until 1974., In 1976, the park was officially named Oz Park in honor of Lyman Frank Baum, the author of the The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Baum (1856-1919) settled in Chicago in 1891 several miles west of what is now the park. He held a number of different jobs before he began writing children’s books in 1897, when he was in his mid-forties. In all, Baum wrote more than 60 books including 14 Oz books. Five of Baum’s books including The Wonderful Wizard of Oz were illustrated by W.W. Denslow, a well-known Chicago cartoonist. In 1939, The Wizard of Oz was immortalized by the production of the MGM movie, which is still a classic today.
Oz Park was created in 1974, as part of an renewal program for the Lincoln Park area. Historically, the neighborhood underwent numerous population shifts and by the 1950s home ownership was declining and many buildings were in sub-standard condition. The Lincoln Park Conservation Association approached the City of Chicago, and a large section of the community was designated as the Lincoln Park Urban Renewal Area. As part of the Urban Renewal Plan, a 13 acre site was identified for a new park. The city council approved the sale of property in 1967, however, the Chicago Park District was not able to acquire the land until 1974.
In 1976, the park was officially named Oz Park in honor of Lyman Frank Baum, the author of the The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Baum (1856-1919) settled in Chicago in 1891 several miles west of what is now the park. He held a number of different jobs before he began writing children’s books in 1897, when he was in his mid-forties. In all, Baum wrote more than 60 books including 14 Oz books. Five of Baum’s books including The Wonderful Wizard of Oz were illustrated by W.W. Denslow, a well-known Chicago cartoonist. In 1939, The Wizard of Oz was immortalized by the production of the MGM movie, which is still a classic today.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music
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• Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.
Location. 41° 55.305′ N, 87° 38.646′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lincoln Park. Marker is at the intersection of West Webster Street and North Larrabee Street on West Webster Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 West Webster Street, Chicago IL 60614, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . L. Frank Baum - Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 26, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Additional keywords. L. Frank Baum
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2011
2. Detail from the Oz Park Marker
This was an advertisement for the book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, illustrated by W.W. Denslow and published in 1900.
Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2011
3. Oz Park Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2011
4. The Scarecrow Statue in Oz Park
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2011
5. The Tin Man Statue in Oz Park
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2011
6. The Cowardly Lion Statue in Oz Park
Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,466 times since then and 431 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 26, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.