Chicago Off The Beaten Path Tips by deecat Top 5 Page for this destination

Lincoln in Grant Park

On my most recent trip to Chicago [September 10, 2008], I wanted to show my friend, Mickey Scales, the President Lincoln statue that is in Grant Park. Note: there is also a sculpture of Grant in Lincoln Park here in Chicago!

South and west of the Art Institue, there is a bronze Abraham Lincoln state that was done by famed sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. This statue was given to the city of Chicago by John Crerar, a man who left a $100,000 bequest in 1889 for the construction of a Lincoln Statue.
I discovered that Saint-Gaudens took twelve years to finish the seated figure of Lincoln; however, it was not unveiled until 1926, and that was twenty years after its completion!

It was architect Stanford White who designed the semi-circular site that the statue "sits" on.
Because this particular statue is across the street from the popular Buckingham Fountain, not as many people visit it. Many people in the Chicago area do not even know about it.

On this visit, I noticed that The park is being "spruced up". There seems to be a tree replacement plan for every missing tree in Grant Park and especially near the Lincoln statue and the Court of Presidents. This is good news because, from my observation, since the completion of Millennium Park, Grant Park was looking neglected. I'm so glad that is being reversed.

Be sure to see this wonderful Abraham Lincoln Statue when you visit Grant Park.

Other Contact: Located on Cannon Drive in Linco

Richard & Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Plaza

While walking into Grant Park on a sunny September afternoon, my friend Mickey and I came upon Richard & Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Plaza. There was a plaza at the entrance which read:

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells. It is the most feared disease in America, because it is not understood, even though it is not the largest killer. If we understood caner, we would not be as afraid of it. It is estimated that the average individual has a wildly dividing cell six times a day. The immune system recognizes this, kills it, and we never know the difference. When the immune system lets down, even temporarily, and these dividing cells get established to the point that the immune system cannot control them, we have cancer."

I was amazed that on one bronze plaque, one could learn so much about cancer.

Chicago is only one of about 22 cities all over the United States where a Richard & Annette Bloch Cancer Survivor Park is located. Chicago's park is called a plaza and is located on Lake Shore Drive in Grant Park. It is one of the largest of the cancer survivor memorials to date. It is highly visible also. All the Northbound traffic on Lake Shore Drive can see this memorial.

There are two giant granite columns that are over 40 feet tall with a wrought iron entrance. There is a division of paths that form the "positive mental attitude walk, and this walk contains 16 giant vases with a series of steps to the computer which is supposed to have interactive information. Sadly, that computer is broken. I think this area is greatly in need of renovation and better care.

It seems that few people know about this area, and that is too bad because this is a beautiful area, a great and inspiring walk, and lovely architectural wrought iron features.

All of the Richard & Annette Bloch Cancer Survivor Parks/Plazas Have the following:

1. A focal Point

2. A Positive Mental Attitude Walk

3. And Must be Highly Visible

I'm pleased that we experience this plaza, and I do so hope that it is on the list of improvements for Grant Park.

Seneca Playlot Park

Seneca Playlot Park is not a "hot spot" in the city of Chicago; however, for people who enjoy small parks, a shady place to relax, and observing children at play, this is, indeed, a fun place to visit.

It is located just west of the historic Water Tower Pumping Station. Even though Seneca Park is tiny as far as parks go, it is such a delightful and quiet "oasis" from its bustling surroundings. I discovered that the Chicago Park District leases the park property from the City of Chicago Water Fund. At one time this park was part of a nearby park called Lake Shore Playground. But, the State of Illinois built an armory between Senect and Lake Shore Parks; thus, permanently separating them.

Seneca Park has a medium-sized lawn with shaded walkways, and it also has a double playlot.
As Allan and I sat in the shade on nice benches between the two playlots, we observed a memorial to Eli Schulman who died in 1988. He is a well-known restauranteur in Chicago who was also active in promoting activities for children. [The playgrounds are named for Schulman].

The whole park is named after an adjacent Seneca Street which was named for the Iroquois tribe of upstate New York.

Berwyn is an Interesting Town... Suburban delights Review

Today, August 12, 2005, Allan and I visited Berwyn, Illinois for the first time. We went there to check out a neighborhood and house that a friend of ours just purchased.

We had such a good time just walking around the neighborhoods and visiting the southern part of the city. After all that walking, we decided to eat lunch and make it our meal of the day.

We did not know anything about the restaurants in the area, so we asked a gentleman that we met on the sidewalk. He suggested Arnie Salerno's Restaurant & Pizzeria We took him up on it, and decided to give it a try. It's the NEW Arnie Salerno's Restaurant, and Arnie is one of the original owners and founder of Salerno's Restaurant. It was first opened in 1966.

Salerno's is a typical southern Italian restaurant that uses lots of red sauce and serves large portions. It is a great place inside with a large bar, TV's for sport's fans, and a smoking and non-smoking area.

The menu includes specialties of the house, Veal dishes, Ribs, Seafood, Chicken dishes, Sandwiches, and Pizza.

Allan ordered the Chicken Cacciatore and was quite pleased. It was a huge order; thus, he brought home 1/2 of it. I ordered Baked Mostaccioli and asked for a smaller order. I was not too pleased. It was unlike any other baked Mostaccioli I've ever had. We both ordered the house salad, which was quite good because of the delicious Italian dressing [homemade].

If I ever go again, I'll probably try the pizza. It's supposed to be good.

We then went to the next town, Oak Park, which we both really loved.

Open Monday through Thursday from ten until eleven at night.
Friday and Saturday ten to midnight.
Sunday from Noon to ten at night.

Other Contact: 3248 S. Grove, Berwyn, Illinois

Phone: (847)484-3400

Erie On The Park Condominiums Architecture & Public Art (outdoor) Review

When Erie on the Park Condominiums opened, many people were shocked because of the"industrial look.
The architect, Lucien Lagrange, usually did not do this kind of work; however, he was interested in the use of "powerful steel structural expression".

Most critics feel that Lagrange did a great job using the steel structure here at Erie on the Park.
His choice to use steel instead of concrete framing was good because it better addressed stresses, especially wind, on this narrow parallelogram-shaped site. Using steel required fewer columns which offers flexibility to "maximize residential layouts, unit heights, and balcony options".

Look at the photograph, and you will see that the use of the exposed exterior bracing lead the eye upward to the open steel frame at the top. I personally like the blue-tinted glass and bands of steel. It's especially good for city dwellers who enjoy a contemporary look.

I took the photo from the architectual tour boat. I'm not sure of the exact address.

191 North Wacker Drive Architecture & Public Art (outdoor) Review

I did not know where to place this tip. It's a little-known building so I decided to choose "Off the Beaten Path".

This particular building is especially designed for large, full-floor tenants. It's located on an "ideal" site facing the open corridor of the Chicago River.

191 North Wacker Drive is a tall, silver-blue glass box slaab on its western facade. Theis tall box is separated from the rear section by a notch that is about five feet wide and two feet deep. This eastern section contains mechanical systems that are enclosed in transparent glass.
I especially admire the open "grid work" at the top.

It's wonderful how other buildings are reflected in the "glass skin" at 191 North Wacker Drive.

The same architectural firm of Kohn Pedersen Fox designed three office towers in a row: 333 West Wacker Drive; 225 West Wacker Drive; and 191 North Wacker Drive.

Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, Navy Pier Museums Review

Imperative to Click on Photo to see the details

When I recently visited Navy Pier to see the Chicago Flower and Garden Show 2005, I was delighted that a "bonus" to the long walk from the entrance to the exhibit hall (10-minute walk) was being able to see part of the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows.
It is located along the lower level terraces of Festival Hall. The hall exhibit of stained glass pieces extends from Entrance 1 to Entrance 2.

One of the really remarkable things about this special museum is that it is FREE! It is open daily during regular Navy Pier operating hours. Also, you can take a free tour with Museum curator, Rolf Achilles on Friday afternoons. You need to go to the west entrance of the Museum near Navy Pier's Entrance .

You are able to watch an informational video about the history and making of stained glass windows. Afterward, you are able, at your leisure, to see the windows. They are divided into categories:

Victorian, Art Nouveau, Tiffany, 1893 Chicago World's Fair, German-American Religious, Tiffany & Contemporaries, American Religious, Modern Religious, Contemporary, Synagogues, Lamps, Chicago Bungalow & Prairie, Frank Lloyd Wright, Prairie, Richard Driehaus Gallery of Stained Glass Windows.

It's worth a trip to Navy Pier just to see this grand public collection of stained glass, one of the best in the United States. More than half of the windows were originally installed somewhere in the Chicago area. It's interesting to see the influence of the European immigrants through the Religious windows. It's just as wonderful to see the secular windows as a history of decorative arts styles. What a fortunate free experience this turned out to be!

Other Contact: 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago

Phone: (312) 595-5024

Website: http://www.navypier.com & click on the "Attractions" link

Lincoln Square's Architectural Gem Neighborhoods-other Review

"I wish I could go to America if only to see that Chicago!"
Otto Von Bismarck, German Chancellor, 1870

I love Lincoln Square, and it's not just because my daughter lives in that area! I love the old wood-frame Victorians, the Chicago bungalows, the greystone apartment buildings, and the quaint shops of the area. But, of all the beautiful places in Lincoln Square, the one that is the most beautiful example of Chicago architecture is The Museum oof Decorative Arts Building, the last project of the famous Louis Sullivan. Louis Sullivan is most famous for such Chicago landmarks as the Auditorium Theatre, the Carson Pirie Scott building on State Street, and the old Chicago Stock Exchange.
William P. Krause wanted to build a music store in about 1920, and with the help of Sullivan, Krause's builder created this ornate little place for a music store with Krause's apartment above it. The facade of this building is hard to miss. It has built-in lights as well as white & black & grey tiles. There is also an ornamental letter K at the top of the facade (which you can see in the photo) that represents William Krause.
Unfortunately, the music shop was only in business for about seven years. After the music store, there was a funeral home there for several years, and today, it is the home of the Museum of Decorative Arts which boasts a collection of decorative arts & objects which date from 1870 until 1930. It's more than just a museum; there are items available for sale from several eras: Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, & Arts & Crafts movements.
When in Lincoln Square, be sure to drop in for a "look-see" and maybe a purchase!

It's located on North Lincoln Avenue kind of across from the Davis Theatre.

One of the Largest Neighborhood Libraries Libraries Review

On one of my jaunts in Chicago while waiting for a VT Meeting/Dinner to begin, I spent time in the Lincoln Square area checking out the beautiful, huge Conrad Sulzer Regional Branch Library.
This Lincoln Square neighborhood library was once located down the street in the art deco building that now houses the Old Town School of Folk Music. At that time, it was called the Hild Library. Demand grew; thus, the neighborhood outgrew the Hild Library. The architecture firm called Hammond, Beeby & Babka designed the new building which has become a central attraction for Chicago's North Side as a Regional Branch. Incidently, it is one of the largest neighborhood branches in the Chicago Public Library System. It houses more than 250,000 books and takes up almost an entire block!
The architecture is interesting. The architects themselves called it "hybrid Mies van der Rohe and Schinckel"! What I really like about this particular library is all of the light that pours through the multitude of windows. Another unique feature of the Conrad Sulzer Library is the custom-made furniture that has design themes that are based on German mythology!
The architects who built this library went on to build the famed Harold Washington Library in the Loop in 1993.
The Conrad Sulzer Library is located on North Lincoln Avenue just south of the business area and across from the Park.

Rosehill Cemetery's Highest Memorial Cemeteries Review

Some people think that visiting a cemetery is weird; however, I find it to be a great history lesson. Rosehill Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Chicago, and its entrance was done by the same architect that did the Old Chicago Water Tower. You can tell that; it is a rare Midwestern example of castellated Gothic architecture.
If you visit Rosehill Cemetery, you will notice a tall Obelisk in the northeast corner. It belongs to Mayor "Long John" Wentworth who had an ego to match his size ( he was six feet six inches tall and weighed 300 pounds). He served as Mayor from 1857-58 and in 1860-61. Historians say that Wentworth once "crossed out every line in a history of the city that did not pertain to him"!
Before his death in 1888, he thought that this memorial would be "the loftiest tombstone in the West".He bought a huge obelisk.
The cost of this obelisk, including shipping from Maine, was estimated to be about $40,000. Today that would equal $260,000.The momument is a 70-foot-tall obelisk that weighs 50 tons. His lot is over 2/3 of an acre. It's quite ironic that Wentworth is virtually forgotten, but his memorial remains one of the largest of its kind in all of America!
It's also interesting to note that Vice President Charles G. Dawes is also buried in Rosehill. In addition, Rosehill served as a burial site for Union Civil War casualties. Just inside the gate is the soldiers' monument with each side representing the calvary, artillery, infantry, and the navy. There are long, straight rows of low headstones of more than 200 soldiers buried here.

Note: picture from Chicago Magazine

Other Contact: 5800 N. Ravenswood Avenue