Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Chicago River Esplanade / DuSable Founder's Way




The Chicago River Esplanade is located along the north bank of the Chicago River between Michigan Avenue and the N Lakeshore Drive bridge. It's officially named as "DuSable Founder's Way". It includes a continuous river walkway with a series of landscaped cascading plazas..


As we walk down the stairways from the north-east of the Michigan Avenue bridge, there's a signage "Honorary: DuSable Founders Way". It can be seen in the image below, on the right corner..


Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable [1745 -1818] popularly known as "The Father of Chicago", was the first known non-native settler in the area which is now Chicago, Illinois. Du Sable was recognized by the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago as the Founder of Chicago on October 26, 1968..


A bust of DuSable, by sculptor Erik Blome, as also been installed [in 2009] on the north-eastern corner of the bridge..
For more, click here..

Du Sable Homesite [at the north-east corner of Michigan Avenue bridge] has been designated a National Historic Landmark.


The bronze plaque reads..
Point Du Sable House ...
"Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable Homesite has been dedicated a National Historic Landmark. This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America
1977, National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior".



Kinzie Mansion..
Near this site stood Kinzie Mansion 1784-1832, home of Pointe Du Saible, Le Mai, and John Kinzie. Chicago`s `First Civilian'. Here was born, in 1805, the city`s first white child, Ellen Marion Kinzie.
Erected by Chicago`s Charter Jubilee
Authenticated by Chicago Historical Society - 1937.



On Friday, October 15, 2010, the Michigan Avenue bridge was officially renamed as DuSable bridge.


I find this walkway [DuSable Founders Way] to be a very beautiful relaxing place to just walk or sit on the chairs and enjoy the river and cityscape..



Walking on the DuSable Way, one can find..
- Chicago Rising from the Lake by Milton Horn..
- Nicholas J. Melas Centennial Plaza and Founatin..



At the eastern end of the walk a DuSable Park is under construction.


RELATED LINKS..
# Chicago Riverwalk & Chicago River Esplanade..
# For Public Art along the Chicago Riverwalk..
# For Public Art along the Chicago River Esplanade..

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