November 25, 1908 – Aaron Montgomery
Ward issues a lengthy statement in which he reviews “in detail the
administration of the self-appointed office of ‘watch dog of the lake front.’” [Chicago Daily Tribune, November 26, 1908] Far from being a manifesto, the statement is
conciliatory, ending with these words, “If the South Park commissioners or the
museum trustees can find a way to prevent other buildings from being constructed
on the lake front in the future, then I will be glad to withdraw my objection to
the erection of the Field museum, but if the dedications and the law affirming
them are destroyed for one building, any other buildings may go there within
the discretion of the body exercising the trust over the park.” Much of Ward’s statement details the history
of what we know today as Grant Park, a history that begins in 1836 when the
United State cedes all of the land from the river to Twelfth Street and from
State Street to Lake Michigan to the Chicago so that the city can raise funds
through the sale of those lands in order to build a canal. The city platted the land from Madison Street
to Twelfth and From State to the lake into lots and public grounds, and on the
public ground east of Michigan Avenue the maps carried the words, “Public
ground, A common: to remain forever open, clear and free of any building or
obstruction whatever.” Three years later
the federal government platted the land to the north, previously occupied by
Fort Dearborn, in the same way and on the public ground east of Michigan Avenue
appeared the words, “Public ground: to remain vacant of buildings.” The principle purpose of the designations
seems not to have been one of altruism, but of business. Creating a large area of open space across
from the little-used mud path of Michigan Avenue would induce buyers to
purchase land in one of the least attractive areas of the central city. It
didn’t take long for the city to begin ignoring the responsibility to maintain
its open land. Ward details the encroachments that the city sanctioned, “By its
permission the old exposition building was erected just north of Jackson
street. North of that was erected an
armory building, and north of that building known as ‘Battery D.’ Still north
of that and in the rear of those buildings, were erected barns and sheds to
stable the horses and wagons used by the city in cleaning the streets from the
river to Twelfth street, and from the river to Lake Michigan, and to pile old
paving blocks and other material, and for other sheds. It gave permission to the Baltimore and Ohio
railway company to erect and maintain sheds where freight was unloaded form the
cars into wagons. Different express
companies were given like privileges.
There were five railroad tracks on the park west of the Illinois Central’s
right of way. The city gave permission
to different circuses to show on the lake front for two or three weeks at a
time, the circus horses and other animals were stabled upon the park, and when
the circus left the debris and offal remained, an offensive nuisance to
everybody in the vicinity. During the
winter the snow taken from the streets, together with all the dead dogs, cats,
rats, or other animals and garbage that might be thrown into the street was all
dumped on this park. The snow and filth
taken from the streets remained there until the heat and the rains of spring
and early summer melted the snow and ice and left in its place the slime and
filth and dead animals, and that condition remained until the property owners
were forced to clean the place at their own expense.” By 1890 the area was in such deplorable
condition that Ward went to court to obtain a restraining order against the
further use of the park other than its original condition as open space. The case ultimately ended up in the Illinois
Supreme court, which found in Ward’s favor … “that neither the legislature of
Illinois nor any other body could grant to the state or any one else the right
to violate the dedication of the federal government and the state government.” Then Ward turns to the proposed Field museum,
saying that -- ”Nobody had a higher
respect or admiration for Marshall Field during his lifetime or his generosity
in donating a large sum of money for a museum than I have.” He continues, though, saying that the South
Park Board proposes much more than a museum on the park, proposing “to erect four
public comfort buildings, a building for the storing of tools, an electric
light power plant, sheds for the storing of water and sprinkling carts, stables
for horses, a band stand, a boathouse, a refectory or restaurant building, an
administration building or office building for the officers of the park
board. In other words, their plan is to
provide a site on the lake front for twenty or more permanent buildings, not
including the Field museum.” Ward
finishes his statement words that are prophetic, “I may add that it has been my
purpose to preserve the Lake Front park for the people in accordance with the
plain intent of the government which gave to the city the land for an open
park, free from all buildings, and I am still of the opinion that in so doing I
have done the city and the people a real service.” In the above 1908 photo the tallest building is the headquarters building for Montgomery Ward. It is clear that the eastern view from its windows did not provide a scene of serenity and calm.
November 25, 1900 – The Chicago Daily Tribune reports that General Henry Strong has bought the Lincoln Park Palace on the northwest corner of Diversey Boulevard and Pine Grove Avenue for $75,088.76. The Palace was completed in 1893 as a “high class apartment building and hotel”. [Chicago Daily Tribune, November 25, 1900] The building reportedly cost $200,000 to construct and the sale came about as a result of a suit General Strong filed against Mrs. Mary Edwards, the wife of the developer, C. C. Edwards, who fell from the top of the building as he was inspecting the progress of its construction. Mrs. Edwards supervised the completion of the building, but it never saw anywhere close to a return on the money that was invested in it, and she took up residence just to the west. If you happen to stop by Yak-Zies on Diversey, you are in the former home of Mrs. Edwards, so order up a drink of your choice and offer a toast to poor old Widow Edwards. She deserved better than she got. The Lincoln Park Palace still stands today as an apartment building, The Brewster, with an unbelievable atrium that rises to the full height of its eight stories. Glass block walkways on each floor allow light to travel from the roof’s skylights to the vestibule as they provide access to the apartments. For more information on the Brewster and its fascinating history, please click here.
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