Chicago

Chicago, Illinois is one of America’s legendary cities. The third largest city in the United States began in 1833 as a settlement of 340 people along the shores of Lake Michigan. Today over three million people reside in Chicago, with immigrants from such diverse countries as Poland, Korea, India, and Iran being added daily.

Let’s look at one of the most important parts of Chicago, “The Loop.” In its heyday, the 1880s, the Loop became the business center of Chicago. Corporations built their national headquarters here. Entertainment and hospitality became important also because of the Loop’s many fine hotels and theaters.

Situated between The Loop and Chicago Harbor; Grant Park was built in the 1920s. Its French-Classical style includes rose gardens, promenades, and shady elm trees. Chicago’s annual music festivals – jazz, blues, and gospel singing – are all held in Grant Park.

Within Grant Park is the Clarence Buckingham Fountain. This pink marble Rococo fountain was designed and built in 1927 as a memorial to Clarence Buckingham. The four bronze sea horses in the fountain represent the four states that border Lake Michigan: Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

On the opposite side of the park is the Art Institute of Chicago. Within its galleries are paintings by some of the world’s most famous artists, including Monet, Matisse and Van Gogh. Built in 1892, the structure was designed in a traditional Classical-Renaissance style.

Across the street from the Art Institute is Orchestra Hall/Symphony Center. This is the home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Chorus.

Just south of the Center, down Michigan Avenue, is the Fine Arts Building. Its current residents include the Jazz Institute of Chicago, the Boitsov Classical Ballet Company, and the Performing Arts of Chicago. Talented music students flock here to study under some of the best teachers in America.

If ballet is more your interest, plan a trip to the world famous Joffrey Ballet. The legendary dance company moved to Chicago in 1995 and now performs in the Auditorium Theater.

There are also many sculptures in the Loop, including this untitled work by Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder’s “Flamingo,” and Joan Miro’s “Miro’s Chicago.”

In the early 1800s the South Loop was home to Chicago’s wealthy families.

In the early 1900s, the area became an unpleasant industrial center. Now, the South Loop has been transformed into offices, restaurants, and new residential complexes. To catch a picture of the past, take a look at the Pontiac Building still standing on South Dearborn Street. Built in 1891, this 14-story structure was one of the first skyscrapers in North America.

The South Loop area around the Pontiac Building is Know as the Printing House Row District. Chicago’s printing industry began here in the 1880s.

Now many of its detailed 19th century buildings have been renovated for new uses. Grace Place was once a three-story printer’s building and is now a house of worship. This is the highly decorated façade of the brown brick Franklin Building. There are many other similar buildings in the historical area once known for its printing and publishing.

Just east of the printing district, and along Lake Shore Drive is the Museum Campus. A free trolley carries people between the three famous museums.

The Field Museum was restored in 1987 and offers visitors a view of the world of natural history. Sue, the largest tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered is being reconstructed in the museum.

The John G. Shedd Aquarium contains the largest indoor aquarium in the world. Visitors can watch divers feed fish and other sea creatures daily. The Oceanarium is the world’s largest marine mammal facility and includes whales, sea otters and dolphins.

The third museum is the Adler Planetarium. Designed in 1930, it was the first planetarium in the United States. Both modern and antique astronomical instruments are displayed, along with spectacular shows about the heavens.

Burnham Park is the home of the McCormick Place Convention Complex.

This massive building is host to many gatherings and shows, including automobiles, boats, and publishing. For many people, coming to a convention held at McCormick Place is their reason for exploring the rest of Chicago.

If shopping interests you, the Magnificent Mile is the place to go in Chicago. Located on North Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile offers consumers many department stores and specialty shops to browse.

While shopping you might notice the profile of a tall building. This is the dramatic John Hancock Center, often referred to as “Big John.”

Take the high-speed elevator to the Skydeck Observatory on the 94th floor for spectacular views of the city, including The Loop and Lake Michigan.

But “Big John” is not the tallest building in Chicago. Standing some 327 feet higher is the Sears Tower. Located in The Loop on South Wacker Drive, the Sears Tower’s Skydeck Observatory offers visitors a panoramic view of Chicago from the 103rd floor.

A visit to the legendary section known as “Old Town” will give an understanding of Chicago’s history. During the mid-nineteenth century, Old Town was called “Cabbage Patch.” It was made up of gardens and cow pastures, but soon immigrants from around the world began to build homes and this area became known as the Old Town Triangle District – now a Chicago Landmark.

Ethnic restaurants, small shops, and bookstores are found in the Triangle District. In 1852 the first church, Saint Michael’s Church, was built by German immigrants on North Cleveland Avenue.

Chicago has everything that a visitor could ask for: internationally acclaimed theater and symphonies, acres of parks, miles of lakefront beaches, some of the finest shopping in America, and a diversity or art galleries and museums that is the envy of many cities. It is a city that calls out to be explored and enjoyed.

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