Buckingham Fountain: a jewel on the Chicago Lakefront
The spectacular Buckingham Memorial Fountain is a jewel of the Chicago lakefront.
Opened in May of 1927 and located in Grant Park, the fountain was a gift to the city by philanthropist Kate Buckingham in memory of her late brother, Clarence.
During the day, the fountain produces a major water display every hour on the hour. On summer evenings, hundreds gather around to watch its beautiful light show. From dusk to 10 p.m., tones of blues, greens and yellows color the plumes of water that jet up to 150 feet in the air with each new hour.
The fountain, made from pink Georgia marble, contains 1.5 million gallons of water, with more than 14,000 gallons per minute pushed through its 193 jets. It is considered one of the largest fountains in the world.
Wind off of Lake Michigan known as the “Hawk” often sprays a fine mist onto visitors, offering welcomed relief on hot nights. The Grant Park greenery on both sides of the fountain makes it a prime spot for picnics.
A bit of Buckingham Fountain trivia: It was the official starting point of the famed U.S. Route 66 and it has also been featured in many films.
A restoration fund has been established for repairs to the fountain, hard hit by rough Chicago winters. The restoration-effort website offers details.
Posted on Apr 13, 2011 by Lori Rotenberk
