Chicago South / Drexel Fountain (1882) - by Henry Manger

Drexel Fountain - by Henry Manger

Drexel Fountain - by Henry Manger

1881-82 / Restored

Bronze

Believed to be one of the earliest monuments in the city.

The four-sided statue is decorated with Neptune and harvest Goddess figure.

Donated by Drexel brothers - Francis Drexel and Anthony Drexel - in memory of their father Francis M. Drexel, whose life-size sculpture sits atop this fountain.

Chicago West - Wicker Park / Gurgolye Fountain Court

 

Wicker Park Gurgolye Fountain

Wicker Park - Gurgolye Fountain 

Created: 1892 

In 1908, it was removed by Jen Jensen, 

and was replaced by a wading pool for children.

Replica of the original fountain was installed in 2002

Dedicated by the Mayor on May 11, 2002

Location: Wicker Park

1425 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

The West Park Commissioners commissioned the original Gurgoyle Fountain in Wicker Park in the mid-1890s. The fountain was created by J.L.Mott Ironwork.  The company was later bought by Robinson Iron Company of Alexander City, Alabama. The Robinson Iron firm was able to find some original molds which were used to cast the current Wicker Park Fountain.

It was named Gurgoyle Fountain because of the small gargoyle faces that spouted water.

In 1908, the fountain was remopved and replaced by wading pool for children.

In 2002, a replica of the fountain was installed by Robinson Iron. The replica was cast from the original fountain molds.

Chicago Loop / Printers Row Fountain (1999)

Printer's Row Fountain

Constructed as part of the 1999 Public Fountain Program

Part of a continuing neighborhood beautification effort, the City of Chicago and the Public Building Commission (PBC) teamed up to construct and renovate 18 fountains throughout the city. The city's plazas and radial streets that form triangles are now graced by new fountains, and older fountains were restored or replaced. 

Because the fountains are long term community landmarks, the PBC engaged neighborhood organizations, alderman offices, and residents in the planning and design process.  

Fountain plazas are enhanced with seating area and planters, so they become a welcoming space for people to gather to read a book , or have lunch or coffee.

Source: PBC website.

Chicago South / Promontory Point and David Wallach Memorial Fountain

 

David Wallach Memorial Fountain

- by Elisabeth Hibbard and Frederick C. Hibbard

Installed: 1939

Location: Near 55th Street,

east of underpass leading to the Promontory Point

   

Frederick Hibbard created the elegant, polished marble fountain. His wife Elizabeth sculpted the bronze fawn that graces the top of the fountain.

Chicago - Near North Side / Fountain at Fourth Presbyterian Church

Fourth Presbyterian Church Fountain

 

Fountain at the Fourth Presbyterian Church

The architect for the Fourth Presbyterian Church is Ralph Adams Cram. But the  parish house, cloister, manse, and garth were designed by architect Howard Van Doren Shaw.

The parish buildings were built at the same time as the church and dedicated in March 1914. The Tudor-style parish building has a small courtyard and in the center of the courtyard is a beautiful fountain. [ I have read at some places that it's called Children's Fountain. But I'm not sure]

The words inscribed on the fountain are..

For the Earth Shall Be

Filled with the knowledge

Of the Glory of the Lord

As the Water covers the Sea..

Chicago Near North Side / Washington Square Park Fountain (1999)

 

Washington Square Park Fountain

Washington Square Park Fountain

Location: Clark and Walton streets

Constructed as part of the 1999 Public Fountain Program

Chicago Loop / Radiant One - by Richard Lippord

Radient One - by Richard Lippord

Radiant One - by Richard Lippord

Installed: 1958

A group of red, gold and silver wires support a  stainless steel form

set above a reflecting pool

Location: Inland Steel Building Lobb

 30 W Monroe Street, Chicago, IL

Commissioned by The Inland Steel Corporation.

The building and the sculpture were designated as Chicago Landmark in 1998

Lincoln Park / Freedom Fighter - by S. Thomas Scarff

Freedom Fighter - by Thomas Scarff

Freedom Fighter is a fountain-&-sculpture set with

Freedom fountain and Fighter sculpture.

Both the sculpture and the fountain are made by Thomas S. Scarff

Location: Intersection of N. Clark Street and W. Wisconsin Streets

Lincoln Park

Chicago South - Washington Park / Fountain of Time - by Lorado Taft

Fountain of Time - by Lorado Taft

Fountain of Time - by Lorado Taft

Reflecting pool: Howard Van Doren Shaw

Completed: 1922

Description: approx. 127 feet length 

Made with hollow-cast concrete, reinforced with steel and incorporated pebbles from the Potomac River. This composite material was an innovation at the time .

Location: Western edge of the Midway Plaisance in the Washington Park 

Washington Park is registered in the National Register of Historic Places, and this sculpture is a contributing structure in this achievement.

Commissioned by the B.F.Ferguson Monument Fund, to commemorate the first 100 years of peace between the United States and Great Britain, resulting from the Treaty of Ghent in 1814.

Inspired by Henry Austin Dobson's poem, "Paradox of Time" ..

"Time goes, you say?

Ah no, Alas, time stays, we go"..

Chicago South / University of Chicago / Construction in Space and in the Third and Fourth Dimensions - by Antoine Pevsner

Construction in Space.....  - by Antoine Pevsner

Construction in Space and in the Third and Fourth Dimensions

By Antoine Pevsner  

Sculpted in 1959 by Russian Constructivist artist Antoine Pevsner,

the piece was installed at the Law School in 1964

Reflective Pool was designed by Dan Kiley

Location: University of Chicago Law School

Laird Bell Quadrangle /1111 E. 60th Street

Gift of Alex Hillman

The Law School building designed by Eero Saarinen. The building architect Eero Saarinen had suggested that the work of Antoine Pevsner would complement the quadrangle. But his wish coudnt be fulfilled until both Saarinen and Pevsner died (in 1961 and 1962 respectively).  The suclpture was gifted to the university by an alumnus Alex Hillman in 1963 and installed in 1964.

Chicago West - Arrigo Park / Christopher Columbus Monument - by Moses Ezekiel

Christopher Columbus Monument - by Moses Ezekiel

Christopher Columbus - by Moses Ezekiel

1891 / rededicated 1966

Location: Victor Arrigon Park

West Polk and South Loomis

This sculpture was exhibited in the 1893, Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition, in the Italian Pavilion. The work was commissioned by the owners of the Columbus Memorial Bldg. and cast in Rome. After the World's Fair, it was placed at the entrance of the downtown bldg. But the bldg. was demolished in 1959, and this sculpture went to storage. In 1966, Senator Victor Arrigon, arranged for it to be displayed in it's present location.

Ref: A Guide to Chicago's Public Sculpture

By Ira J. Bach and Mary Lackritz Gray

Chicago West - Douglas Blvd / Independence Square Fountain and Statue / Fourth of July Fountain

Independence Square Statue

Independence Square Fountain and Statue

also known as the Fourth of July Fountain

Sculptor: Charles J. Mulligan

Installed: 1902

Location: Intersection of Douglas and Independence Boulevards.

This was once a fountain. The 15-foot high granite pedestal, is of the shape of the Liberty Bell. On top is four bronze figure of children celebrating the Fourth of July.

The work was dedicated on July 4, 1902

Chicago Loop / Exelon Plaza Fountain

Exelon Plaza fountain

Exelon Plaza Fountain

The fountain in the plaza is formed by nine square tubes of water 

rising to varying heights [similar to the Sears Tower].

Location: 21 S. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60603

The large rectangular jet fountain in Exelon Plaza was commissioned in 1972, when the plaza was completed.

Chicago Loop / Harris Bank Fountain - by Russell Secrest

Harris Bank Fountain - by Russell Secrest

Installed: 1975

Location: Harris Bank plaza at Monroe and LaSalle streets, Chicago Loop.

The fountain sculpture was commissioned by the Harris Bank

Seven jets of water splash from and through the seven blue-green, bronze pedestals that make up for this fountain sculpture. The interconnected petallike arms extend 6 1/2 feet in height and the water flows into a massive granite basin that is 22 feet in diameter.

Chicago West - Garfield Park Conservatory / Zellij Mosaic Fountain

 

Zellij Mosaic Fountain 

Installed: 2003

Gift to the Conservatory from Chicago's sister city - Casablanca, Morocco.

Location: Garfield Park Conservatory - Horticulture Hall

Chicago Loop / Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Fountain (1999)

Chicago Board of Trade Fountain

Location: 141 W. Jackson Boulevard

The Board of Trade building's Art Deco doors inspired the design of the fountain.

Constructed as part of 1999 Public Fountain Program.

Chicago North / Lincoln Park / The Children's Fountain

Children's Fountain

The Children's Fountain 

Dedicated: 1982 

Description: 30 feet in diameter and stands about 30 feet high

A project of former Chicago mayor Jane Byrne 

Location: Near Chicago History Museum 

At the northeast corner of Clark St. & North Ave... Chicago, IL 60639

A plaque reads ..

Dedicated to all children in Chicago

 who will take from our past to better our future.

Chicago - Near North Side / Nicholas J Melas Centennial Plaza and Fountain





Nicolas J Melas Centennial Fountain


Nicholas J Melas Centennial Plaza and Fountain

Built in 1989 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to Great Chicago.

Location: Chicago River Explanade
in the North Bank of Chicago River

Chicago - AIC / Noguchi Fountain (1976) - by Isamu Noguchi

Noguchi Fountain - by Isamu Noguchi

 

Noguchi Fountain - by Isamu Noguchi

1976 

Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic

Granite and stainless steel, L 50 ft. 

Location: The Art Institute of Chicago, 

east façade Columbus Dr. between Monroe St. and Jackson Blvd.

Commissioned by the B.F. Ferguson Monument Fund 

Chicago - AIC / McKinlock Court / The Fountain of the Tritons - by Carl Milles

Fountain of the Tritons - by Carl Milles

 

.

The Art Institute of Chicago

McKinlock Court & the Fountain of the Tritons

McKinlock Court

It's a 11,640 square foot outdoor court at the Art Institute of Chicago.  The centerpiece of this court is "Fountain of the Tritons" by Carl Milles. The court has beautiful Dutch Elm trees. The McKinlock Court is attached to the Garden Cafe of the AIC.

McKinlock Court was landscaped in 1924. By 1931 the court was remodeled so the Fountain of the Tritons could be installed. This court is open for dining during the summer months.

Fountain of the Tritons - by Carl Milles

Sponsored by the B. F. Ferguson Monument Fund, to commemorate John Ericsson and other Swedish Americans. Ericsson created the "Monitor", the first iron-clad turret ship, which did battle with the Merrimack in the Civil War.