Buckingham fountain brochure

BUCKINGHAM

CHICAGO’S FRONT YARD

FOUNTAIN

CLASSIC REMINISCENCE ELEGANT ROMANTIC HARMONIZED SOOTHING

The Fountain officially opened to the public on May

To create the sea-related bronze elements, sculptor

26, 1927 and was dedicated on August 26, 1927. As

Marcel Loyau studied the sea horse collection at a

the centerpiece of Grant Park—“Chicago’s Front

zoological institution in Paris. The fountain’s sculp-

Yard”, architect Edward H. Bennett (1874–1954) de-

tural elements garnered Loyau the Prix National

signed the Fountain to serve as the park’s formal fo-

at the 1927 Paris Salon. The monument’s original

cal point without obstructing the views of the Lake

design included colored lighting to emulate soft

Michigan. Kate Sturges Buckingham (1858-1937)

moonlight. During the dedication in August of 1927,

dedicated the structure to the people of Chicago in

John Philip Sousa conducted while his band played

1927 in memory of her late brother, Clarence, donat-

“Pomp and Circumstance” before an audience of

ing one million dollars for the Fountain.

50,000 people.

Edward H. Bennett designed the monument in col-

For years, the fountain was entirely manually oper-

laboration with French sculptor Marcel Loyau and

ated by two engineers who each worked a twelve-

engineer Jacques H. Lambert. Inspired by the Lato-

hour daily shift. Although the evening light show

na Fountain at Versailles, the structure is composed

was first automated in 1968, the water continued to

of four basins clad in elaborately carved granite and

be manually operated until 1980, when the opera-

pink Georgia marble. Buckingham Fountain, howev-

tions were fully computerized. From 1983 to 1994,

er, is twice the size and re-circulates approximately

the fountain’s computer was located in Atlanta.

three times more water than its French counterpart.

Today, however, it is on site and with a monitoring

Chicago’s fountain is also unique as it symbolizes

system in Arlington Heights, IL.

Lake Michigan. Conveying the enormity of the lake,

The Fountain has remained intact except for a brief theft of two carved fish heads from the fountain, weighing several pounds each. The fish heads were recovered when a salvage place was offered the pieces and the buyer thought they looked very familiar and reported them.

its major display uses as much as 15,000 gallons of water per minute and sprays water to a height of 150 feet from the ground. The massive lower basin features four sets of Art Deco style sea horses representing the four states that border Lake Michigan.

CHICAGO’S FRONT YARD

HISTORY

FEATURES The Buckingham Fountain, located in Grant Park, is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions and one of the largest fountains in the world.

This particular fountain in Chicago was opened in May of 1927. The four sea horses you see on its sides represent the four states that touch Lake Michigan: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

The fountain operates from approximately April 1 to November 1 each year and runs from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm each day. Every hour on the hour for 20 minutes the fountain produces a major water display and the center jet shoots 150 feet into the air. At dusk, the fountain’s hourly major water display is accompanied by lights and music.

The fountain’s water capacity is 1.5 million gallons. Depending on wind conditions, major displays use approximately 14,100 gallons of recirculated water per minute conveyed through 134 jets. The fountain contains 820 lights.

INSIDE KNOWLEDGE A major Chicago icon, The Buckingham Fountain was built in the Rococo style and is features tiers like those of a wedding cake and is known for being an allegorical representation of Lake Michigan.

Why We Go? Natives and visitors alike flock to this iconic city landmark for various reasons. Some are passing through the park, others stop by for the nightly light show, and still more simply come to admire the phenomenal architecture. Come out to the Chicago Fountain Buckingham and enjoy! Not mention, admission is always free.

QUICK FACTS 1. The Chicago Fountain Buckingham is at the center of Grant Park.

2. This Chicago Fountain is among the most well known Windy City landmarks.

3. The Buckingham Fountain was built as an allegorical representation of Lake Michigan.

LOCATION MAP W Washington St Millennium Park

S State St

W Madison St

Maggie Daley Park

E Monroe St

The Art Institute of Chicago

W Adams St

W Adams St

Grant Park

S Columbus Dr

LOOP W Congress Pkwy

S Michigan Ave

W Jackson Blvd

W Jackson Blvd

Butler Field

E Congress Pkwy

Buckingham Fountain

Monroe Harbor

S State St

S Columbus Dr

S Michigan Ave

S State St

S Clark St

ADDRESS Buckingham Fountain Preservation Association 301 S. Columbus Drive Chicago, IL 60605

WHEN TO GO Year-Round, Especially between April – October SEASONAL INFORMATION The fountain is decorated with an array of lights during the holiday season.

HOURS 8AM - 11PM ADMISSION Free for all