The Drake Fountain, Chicago, Illinois. 1892

The Drake fountain is believed to be the first statue in Chicago to commemorate Christopher Columbus. This monument was dedicated in December 1892, marking the 400th anniversary of the explorers’ voyage to the Americas. 

Walking past the Drake Fountain on LaSalle Sreet
outside of City Hall, Chicago. 1906

The 7 ½ foot bronze figure is of Columbus as a young man with globe in hand. The fountain is inspired by Gothic architecture and a small granite columns and curving buttresses rise up 33 feet to the pointed spire on top.

Originally located downtown on the Washington Street side of City Hall in 1892 to provide chilled drinking water to those in the Loop, the fountain was moved to the LaSalle side in 1906. The fountain dispensed into four granite basins what is still listed on the monument: ice water. 

A surviving example of Victorian-era public drinking fountains, it was hoped at the time that it would be an alternative to nearby saloons. The fountain was moved twice as the city razed buildings and redirected the flow of traffic. 

In 1909, Southeast Chicago residents complained about the lack of public art in their part of town and were able to get the fountain move to the location where it still stands in 
Richard Henry Park on 92nd Street and Exchange Ave. It was designated a Chicago landmark in 2004. 

Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D. 

Fort Sheridan Amusement Park in Highwood, Illinois (1898-1908)

Fort Sheridan is a residential neighborhood spread among Lake Forest, Highwood, and Highland Park in Lake County, Illinois. It was originally established as Fort Sheridan, a United States Army Post named after Civil War Cavalry General Philip Sheridan, to honor his service to Chicago.

On July 30, 1898, Fort Sheridan Park had its grand opening! The amusement center was created at the corner of Clay Street and Sheridan Road in Highwood, Illinois. 

The park's rustic beauty and entertainment attracted large crowds who began arriving in droves in Highwood aboard Dinkies (trolley cars) on the "Chicago and Milwaukee Electric Railway Company," North Shore Line (AKA: Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad).

Fort Sheridan Park - Chicago Tribune Ad, August 6, 1899

The amusement park attracted hundreds of people for band concerts, vaudeville shows, dancing in an open-air pavilion, beer gardens, and food concessions. It is unknown if there were any mechanical rides.

Fort Sheridan Park - Chicago Tribune, August 4, 1900.

Fort Sheridan Park, Inter Ocean, July 1, 1900

Fort Sheridan Park was destroyed by fire in September of 1908.

Belvidere Daily Republican, May 6, 1909, Tabernacle and Keeley Cure.
A resident of Highwood for two weeks, staying at the notorious Park Hotel, Pat Crowe is claimed to be boosting a scheme for the erection of an immense tabernacle at the Fort Sheridan Park that will seat an audience of 5,000 with a vigorous temperance campaign there and the changing of the Park Hotel into a branch of the Keeley Cure.

Crowe is getting well known in Highwood and while he has talked to many has neither denied nor affirmed the rumors about his plans. He has made no breaks nor backsliding and has quietly gone about his business which is the promotion branch of the Keeley Cure.

Fort Sheridan Park posted an ad on July 1, 1909 for lease. 

Fully equipped and ready for operation, seating capacity of 1,800; best location in the country adjoining Fort Sheridan; a big moneymaker; can be run year-round; excellent opportunity if taken at once, as present owner has other business requiring all his time. Inquire of H.D. BARRY, Highwood, Ill. Phone 386 Highwood.


Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.