Author: lbchicago1@hotmail.com

Garfield Park Conservatory

Garfield Park Conservatory is located at 300 North Central Park in Chicago’s Garfield Park. It is one of the largest greenhouse conservatories in the U.S. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits covering 4.5 acres. There are plant species from around the world. It was designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen in 1905 and built in 1906 – 1907.

Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum in Lisle Illinois is mostly trees and about trees, but they also have beautiful sculptures representing nature and a children’s section, yoga classes and gift shop. I really enjoyed my walk around the arboretum! It was very relaxing.

Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum was founded in 1856. It was formerly known as the Chicago Historical Society. It is located near Lincoln Park at 1601 North Clark Street in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood. Much of the museum’s first collection was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but they were able to collect new materials for display and rebuild. They actually rebuilt twice due to fires. Exhibitions explore both Chicago and American history. Chicago:Crossroads of America exhibit explores the city’s development as it relates to American history. Other exhibits/galleries include: Facing Freedom, Abraham Lincoln alcoves, Portrait Gallery, Sensing Chicago, Diorama Hall, Chicago ‘L’ System display, Imagining Chicago and many more. The displays are very impressive and are a great way to not only learn about the history of Chicago, but also a way to get to know this city on a more personal level!

Palmer Square – Chicago

Palmer Square is a pocket neighborhood located in Logan Square. It is located within the boundaries of Fullerton, Armitage, Kedzie, and Milwaukee. The neighborhood’s name comes from the actual Palmer Square, which is a 7 acre park with a children’s playground, walking & jogging trails and art installations. Palmer Square is conveniently located near the Kennedy Expressway and the CTA Blue Line “L” California and Western stops. Palmer Square is also a part of Chicago’s historic boulevard system. It is named after John McCauley Palmer, who was a lawyer and Civil War General and the 15th Governor of Illinois. The playground was inspired by the children’s book The Velveteen Rabbit.

Wabash Arts Corridor

The Wabash Arts Corridor is a series of large mural installations in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago. It is located primarily on Wabash, spanning roughly from Van Buren to Roosevelt and bounded by Michigan Avenue on the East and State Street on the West. It is known as a living urban canvas, and was started in 2013 by Columbia College.

Signs of the Times

When I walk around the Chicago Area taking photos, I see a lot of signs both old and new and large and small and I love them all! How they look says a lot about the business and the time it was designed. There are so many interesting signs, so this is just part 1 of this series. Enjoy!!

Fulton River District – Chicago

Please join me for a brief walk down Milwaukee Avenue through the Fulton River District neighborhood of Chicago. Although there is so much more to see of the Fulton River District, Milwaukee Avenue is a good representation of the timeline of Chicago industrialism and heart of the neighborhood. I have always been interested in early Chicago history of the 1800s, especially industrial history, so walking down Milwaukee Avenue in the district felt like this was the real Chicago……at least to me.

The 1830 original plat of Chicago included much of the area that is now the Fulton River District. The street grid and block layout of this small area defined the pattern of Chicago’s development as the city grew. Commerce dominated the district throughout its history. Lumber and grain were shipped through the district. Randolph Street became the center of wholesale produce distribution in the late 19th century.