The impact of Jens Jensen, the Danish-born landscape architect, can be seen all over Chicagoland and in the Midwest in general, from the parks on Chicago's west side to the Indiana Dunes to the Door County peninsula in Wisconsin.
In the beginning, Charles Wacker, head of the Chicago Plan Commission expressed, exactly what the District sought in its acquisition of its land holdings:
"Think of the benefits, educational, recreational, and financial, which a . . . — — Map (db m228935) HM
On Golf Drive 0.2 miles south of Jackson Boulevard.
Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Department of the Interior
Chicago Park District Landmark, 1991 — — Map (db m260136) HM
On Central Avenue at Gladys Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Central Avenue.
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. . . . — — Map (db m260360) HM
Near Golf Drive 0.2 miles south of Jackson Boulevard, on the left when traveling south.
To Jens Jensen, poet of nature—
Maker of parks and gardens, teacher of youth, friend of our native landscape—on this fragment of earth we mark brief homage
MCMLX — — Map (db m260354) HM
On South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive at East 35th Street, in the median on South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m189232) HM
On North Central Park Avenue north of Lake Street, on the right when traveling south.
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 . . . — — Map (db m241108) HM
On Central Park Avenue at Lake Street on Central Park Avenue.
In 1871, William Le Baron Jenney (best known for his innovations in skyscraper technology) created a master plan for the city's West Park District, consisting of three parks and connecting boulevards. In what would later become Garfield Park, he . . . — — Map (db m241133) HM
On Lake Street near Central Park Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m241131) HM
On Shakespeare Street east of Newland Avenue, on the right.
The image depicts a plan for Rutherford Sayre Park that renowned landscape architect, Jens Jensen, created in 1909. Jensen, who was born in Denmark, immigrated to the United States in 1884 and found his way to Chicago to work for what was then known . . . — — Map (db m265218) HM
Near Lake Street west of Central Park Avenue, on the right.
The name says it all... The City Garden integrates city, through and through. Urban hardy plantings, garden "communities" that meld easily one to the next, recycled bits of cityscape — this is a garden that has urban greening at its core. Its . . . — — Map (db m263819) HM
On West Congress Parkway at Independence Boulevard, on the right when traveling west on West Congress Parkway.
In 1871, William Le Baron Jenney (best known for his innovations in skyscraper technology) created a master plan for the city's West Park District, consisting of three parks and connecting boulevards. In what would later become Garfield Park, he . . . — — Map (db m244569) HM
On South Central Park Boulevard at West Jackson Boulevard on South Central Park Boulevard.
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 . . . — — Map (db m244575) HM
On West Madison Street at Homan Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Madison Street.
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 . . . — — Map (db m244582) HM
On South Central Park Boulevard near Madison Street, on the right when traveling north.
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 . . . — — Map (db m244584) HM
On West Lake Street west of North Homan Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
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 . . . — — Map (db m244586) HM
On North Central Park Avenue 0.1 miles north of West Washington Boulevard, on the left when traveling north.
The Garfield Park Fieldhouse, constructed in 1928 as the West Park Commission administrative headquarters, is one of the most lavish buildings on Chicago's west side. Designed by architects Michaelsen & Rognstad this "Gold Dome Building" has a 23 . . . — — Map (db m243639) HM
On West Congress Parkway at South Independence Boulevard, on the right when traveling west on West Congress Parkway.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m244568) HM
Near North Humboldt Boulevard 0.3 miles north of Division Street.
"...a garden, to be a work of art, must have the soul of the native landscape in it." --Jens Jensen
Welcome to Humboldt Park, a sanctuary in the city. A sanctuary is a place of refuge, or protection. A walk along the park's pathways . . . — — Map (db m233619) HM
On Sacramento Avenue 0.3 miles north of Division Street.
"...a garden, to be a work of art, must have the soul of the native landscape in it." --Jens Jensen
Welcome to Humboldt Park, a sanctuary in the city. A sanctuary is a place of refuge, or protection. A walk along the park's pathways . . . — — Map (db m233657) HM
On Humboldt Boulevard near North Avenue when traveling south.
Chicago's West Park Commission had just been created when residents began requesting that a park be named in honor of Baron Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), a German scientist who popularized the notion of living with nature. . . . — — Map (db m234585) HM
On North Sacramento Avenue at West Augusta Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on North Sacramento Avenue.
Chicago's West Park Commission had just been created when residents began requesting that a park be named in honor of Baron Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), a German scientist who popularized the notion of living with nature. . . . — — Map (db m249818) HM
On North Sacramento Avenue 0 miles south of West Division Street, on the right when traveling north.
One of America's greatest landscape designers and conservationists, Jens Jensen emigrated from Denmark to the United States in 1884 and settled on
Chicago's West Side.
In 1886, he became a street-sweeper with Chicago's South Park Commission. . . . — — Map (db m234422) HM
On North Avenue near Humboldt Boulevard, on the right when traveling west.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m234583) HM
On North Sacramento Avenue at West Augusta Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on North Sacramento Avenue.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m249820) HM
On Stony Island Avenue south of Midway Plaisance North, on the right when traveling south.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m314155) HM
On Midway Plaisance near South Cottage Grove Avenue, in the median.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m314205) HM
Near North Cannon Drive 0.1 miles south of West Fullerton Parkway, on the right when traveling south.
“Water has cut deeply into prairie soil. The clays and gravels of the Middle West are merely a thread on stone floors. In this loam, oak trees grass and corn take root.”
Alfred Caldwell, 1943
A peaceful oasis . . . — — Map (db m47844) HM
On West Fullerton Parkway at North Cannon Drive, on the right when traveling east on West Fullerton Parkway.
One of the most important historic landscapes in Chicago, this “hidden garden” in Lincoln Park was designed by note landscape architect Alfred Caldwell in the Prairie style. Inspired by his mentor Jens Jensen and the work of architect . . . — — Map (db m47845) HM
On North Sheridan Road at West Diversey Parkway, in the median on North Sheridan Road.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m189227) HM
On North Milwaukee Avenue at West Logan Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on North Milwaukee Avenue.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m110744) HM
On North Kedzie Boulevard near West Palmer Square.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m273249) HM
On Western Avenue at Archer Avenue, in the median on Western Avenue.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m258376) HM
On North Clark Street at West Delaware Place when traveling north on North Clark Street.
An oasis of greenery in a busy downtown, Washington Square is the City's oldest park, dating to 1842 when James Fitch, Orasmua Bushnell, and Charles Butler of the American Land Company donated the property to the City.
The donors named the . . . — — Map (db m242447) HM
On West Douglas Boulevard at South Albany Avenue, in the median on West Douglas Boulevard.
Douglas Park, the southernmost of the three great West Side parks, was named in honor of Chicago resident Stephen A. Douglas (1813-61), a United States Senator most remembered for his debates with Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 presidential election. . . . — — Map (db m249329) HM
On West Ogden Avenue (U.S. 66) at South Albany Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Ogden Avenue.
[English-language text on the west-facing side of marker:]
The Main Street of America
The large park in this neighborhood predated Ogden Avenue, formerly known as Route 66, but its layout was adjusted to accommodate the roadway that . . . — — Map (db m251658) HM
On West Douglas Boulevard west of South Albany Avenue, in the median.
Chicago’s Boulevards are one of the city’s most overlooked treasures, and one of the largest and oldest boulevard systems in the nation. The 28-mile system contains 540 acres of green space, and provides a link between seven inland parks and . . . — — Map (db m249341) HM
On North Clark Street at East Delaware Place, on the right when traveling south on North Clark Street.
An oasis of greenery in a busy downtown,
Washington Square is the City's oldest
park, dating to 1842 when James Fitch,
Orasmua Bushnell, and Charles Butler of
the American Land Company donated the
property to the City.
The donors named . . . — — Map (db m185277) HM
South Shore Nature Sanctuary contains over six acres of dune, beach, wetland, pond, prairie, shrubland, savanna, and woodland, a microcosm of habitats native to the Chicagoland region.
Two council rings, in the hallmark style of Jens Jensen, . . . — — Map (db m314433) HM
South Shore Nature Sanctuary contains over six acres of dune, beach, wetland, pond, prairie, shrubland, savanna, and woodland, a microcosm of habitats native to the Chicagoland region.
Two council rings, in the hallmark style of Jens Jensen, . . . — — Map (db m314435) HM
Union Park, named for the federal union, was created in the center of a fshionable neighborhood in 1853. Originally the park had an artificial lake, a zoo, and several buildings including an observation tower.
Between the 1880's and the 1910's, . . . — — Map (db m264061) HM
On Ashland Avenue at Washington Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on Ashland Avenue.
Union Park, named for the federal union, was created in the center of a fashionable neighborhood in 1853. Originally the park had an artificial lake, a zoo, and several buildings including an observation tower.
Between the 1880's and the . . . — — Map (db m264064) HM
Near North Damen Avenue south of West Le Moyne Street, on the right when traveling north.
History: The "Gurgoyle" Fountain was first installed in 1895 and then removed in 1908 to make way for a Jens Jensen designed wading pool. In 2002, the . . . — — Map (db m229462) HM
Scoville Park was designed in 1913 by Jens Jensen, an influential
landscape architect known for his use of native plants and naturalistic
elements. Born in Denmark in 1860, Jensen was raised on his family's
farm where he developed an early . . . — — Map (db m188073) HM
On Division Street at Elmwood Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Division Street.
Jens Jenson
Originally named "North Park" when purchased by the Park District of Oak Park in 1912, this 11.75 acre park site was later renamed after Park District Commissioner Henry A. Taylor. The park sits atop one of several continental . . . — — Map (db m226510) HM
Near Dundee Road (Illinois Route 68) near Community Boulevard.
This circular stone seating area provides a quiet place to stop and take in the serenity of nature. A signature element of landscape architect Jens Jensen (1860-1951), a council ring is intended to suggest communication and friendship without . . . — — Map (db m277539) HM
Near Dundee Road (Illinois Route 68) near Community Boulevard.
This circular stone seating area provides a quiet place to stop and take in the serenity of nature. A signature element of landscape architect Jens Jensen (1860-1951), a council ring is intended to suggest communication and friendship without . . . — — Map (db m277540) HM
Near Dundee Road (Illinois Route 68) near Community Boulevard, on the right when traveling east.
This circular stone seating area provides a quiet place to stop and take in the serenity of nature. A signature element of landscape architect Jens Jensen (1860-1951), a council ring is intended to suggest communication and friendship without . . . — — Map (db m277831) HM
On East Lake Shore Drive south of Pawnee Road, on the right when traveling south.
Lincoln Memorial Garden was envisioned by local advocate Mrs. Harriet Knudson during construction of Lake Springfield in the 1930s. Jens Jensen, a renowned leader in the prairie school of landscape architecture and one of the state's earliest . . . — — Map (db m157935) HM
The concepts that landscape architect Jens Jensen used for Lincoln Memorial Garden grew out of almost 50 years of experience. In his plan, he specified that paths through the Garden should curve. The lanes were to showcase dogwoods, crab apples, . . . — — Map (db m157934) HM
Landscape architect Jens Jensen was attracted to this site because of its potential - the shoreline of the new lake, the rolling topography, the streams and drainage ways that bisected the area. There were only a few trees on this land when he began . . . — — Map (db m157933) HM
On Joliet Street (U.S. 30) west of Northwinds Drive, on the right when traveling east.
Ideal Section
During the first few years of its existence, the Lincoln Highway Association (LHA) worked feverishly to promote the idea of a transcontinental highway. The excitement and enthusiasm of Americans for better roads became well . . . — — Map (db m213124) HM
On Trail 7 near County Road 100 East, on the right when traveling north.
This sign honors the dedication and vision of the people who were instrumental in the creation of Indiana Dunes State Park. Each saw the park from their own perspective, experiences, and emotional connections, but all played a role in the creation . . . — — Map (db m312675) HM
Near Trail 7 north of County Road 100, on the right when traveling north.
Indiana Dunes State Park exists in part because of the efforts of the Prairie Club. This fountain was donated to the State of Indiana in 1932 by the Prairie Club in thanks for the State's decision to create Indiana Dunes State Park. . . . — — Map (db m254903) HM
On West Prospect Street, on the right when traveling west.
Harold C. Brooks
Harold Craig Brooks (1885-1978) was Marshall's mayor from 1925 to 1931, patron, and philanthropist. His interest in city beautification set a standard for preservation and adaptive use as early as 1921. He owned and . . . — — Map (db m225783) HM
Near Lake Shore Road 0.2 miles north of Shorecrest Circle.
Edsel Ford, president of the Ford Motor Company for many years, and his wife, Eleanor Clay, completed this 87-acre estate in 1927. Architect Albert Kahn derived the design from precedents in Cotswold, England, and many of the building materials, . . . — — Map (db m143597) HM
Near Lakeshore Drive north of Fairlake Lane, on the right when traveling north.
Edsel requested Jens Jensen build a generous playground for the children-space for sports in the summer and ice skating in the winter. By the late 1930s, the Ford children had outgrown the need for the play space.
Eleanor and Edsel asked . . . — — Map (db m212257) HM
Gaukler Pointe
The home of Edsel and Eleanor Ford has been designated a National Historic Landmark
The natural prairie-stye landscape of Gaukler Pointe is nationally significant as one of the fines examples of the mature work of the style's . . . — — Map (db m212247) HM
Near Lake Shore Road north of Fairlake Lane, on the right when traveling north.
Landscape architect Jens Jensen thought about how landscapes would look over time. He commented to Edsel. It takes years to get the real beauty out of a landscape planted… Its greatest beauty is in mature age."
Here, Jensen planned a gradual . . . — — Map (db m212253) HM
The Main Residence sits on the eastern
edge of the Gaukler Pointe taking advantage
of the views of Lake St. Clair and the
surrounding landscape created by Jens Jensen.
Architecturally, the Cotswold District in
England influenced architect . . . — — Map (db m206958) HM
Near Lake Shore Road north of Fairlake Lane, on the right when traveling north.
Landscape architect Jens Jensen tried to resist designing formal gardens, but Edsel told him Eleanor wanted a not-too-large, but definitely formal, garden. The result is a circular, wagon wheel like space featuring a lotus blossom fountain at its . . . — — Map (db m212256) HM
Near Haven Road 0.1 miles south of Highland Road (Michigan Highway 59), on the left when traveling south.
Michigan state parks welcomed the newly-mobile drivers
of automobiles in the early 1900s. Genevieve Gillette made it her life's work to preserve precious natural settings and make them available to the travelling public. In 1920 she began . . . — — Map (db m99055) HM
On Haven Road 1.3 miles south of Highland Road (Michigan Highway 59), on the right when traveling west.
An expression of deep respect for the land,
this complex was called the Farm Group Buildings. Edsel Ford learned from his father Henry Ford who wrote in 1932 that "with one foot in industry and another foot in the land, human society is . . . — — Map (db m99131) HM
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
Parallel to the Great Meadow, the Trail Garden offered visitors a more intimate garden-walk experience. As it meandered through shrub borders and woodland, the Trail Garden was full of surprises. Large semi-circular flower beds were planted with . . . — — Map (db m96436)
On Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road, on the left when traveling west.
Once open farmland, the osage-orange tree hedge on the right still exists. It dates from the 1800's farming community that formed the boyhood environment of Henry Ford. Landscape designer Jens Jensen told the Fords he would transform the land back " . . . — — Map (db m89482) HM
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
In 1916, the famed naturalist and writer John Burroughs, along with Henry Ford, laid the cornerstone of the Jens Jensen-designed grotto (an artificial recess or structure made to resemble a natural cave). Rocks were brought from the upstate New . . . — — Map (db m146137) HM
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
In 1926, a 2.5-acre rose garden was designed for this meadow, with the help of landscape architect Herbert Kellaway and rosarian Harriet Foote. Once completed, the garden contained approximately 10,000 rose plants of 400 varieties and cost more than . . . — — Map (db m98927) HM
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
Where you are standing now was once an open channel to the Rouge River. The Fords would pilot their boat, the Callie B, out of the boathouse to the river. The Ford grandchildren would harbor small boats here, as well. Conveniently, Mrs. . . . — — Map (db m88431) HM
On Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road, on the left when traveling north.
A Home for the Ages
William Van Tine was the architect of record for the design and construction of Clara and Henry Ford's 15th and final residence, Fair Lane. Earlier designs were completed by Von Holst and Fyfe of Chicago, IL and their . . . — — Map (db m88992) HM
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.2 miles west of Evergreen Road.
1. Early Rose Garden / English Garden
In 1916, to showcase Clara Ford's favorite flower, landscape architect Jens Jensen designed a rose garden next to the house. In 1927, the roses were relocated to a new, larger rose garden . . . — — Map (db m213784) HM
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
1. The Power of Water
Clara and Henry Ford situated their new home along the banks of the Rouge River to take advantage of nature's power and beauty. Construction of a dam and hydroelectric power plant provided the necessary . . . — — Map (db m215218) HM
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
In 1915, landscape designer Jens Jensen created a picturesque rock garden masterpiece for Henry and Clara Ford. His design was engineered to work with nature and be relatively maintenance-free.
(Left Photo Caption)
In the early 1920's, . . . — — Map (db m89338) HM
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
Guests of the Fords came from all walks of life, and the Great Meadow that greeted them remains. Its designer, Jens Jensen, used thousands of native plantings to create this vista he labeled, "The Path of the Setting Sun-Summer." Every summer . . . — — Map (db m96937) HM
Near Glenwood Street at Cross Street, on the left when traveling east.
For children to enjoy nature at its best presented by the children of Mr. & Mrs. Louis Gardner Ruth Gardner Reese – Louis Gardner Jr. Martha Gardner Wernig ———— • ———— "As you witness the touch . . . — — Map (db m41674) HM
The Clearing is a not-for-profit school for adults, offering classes in the arts, humanities and natural sciences. It was founded by Jens Jensen, renowned landscape architect and conservationist. Born in Denmark in 1860, Jensen immigrated to the . . . — — Map (db m165535) HM
On Sunnyside Lane (State Highway 42) 0.1 miles north of Porcupine Bay Road, on the left when traveling north.
The limestone bluffs you see along Green Bay are part of the same formation that Niagara Falls plunges over in New York. The Niagara Escarpment arches for a thousand miles around the Great Lakes. Lower layers of soft, erodible shale are . . . — — Map (db m130478) HM
