TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
Bold text is denoted by =equal signs=.
Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been
placed at the end of the chapter.
Text extracted from the Illustrations is appended to the captions.
Errata slips bound in the original have been applied to the text.
Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book.
PLAN OF CHICAGO
[Illustration: I. CHICAGO. BIRD’S-EYE VIEW, SHOWING THE LOCATION OF
THE CITY ON THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN, TOGETHER WITH THE SMALLER
SURROUNDING TOWNS CONNECTED WITH CHICAGO BY RADIATING ARTERIES.
Painted for the Commercial Club by Jules Guerin.
COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO]
PLAN OF
CHICAGO
PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB
DURING THE YEARS MCMVI, MCMVII, AND MCMVIII
BY
DANIEL H. BURNHAM
AND
EDWARD H. BENNETT
ARCHITECTS
EDITED BY
CHARLES MOORE
CORRESPONDING MEMBER AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
[Illustration]
CHICAGO
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB
MCMIX
COPYRIGHT, 1908
BY
COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
ORIGIN OF THE PLAN OF CHICAGO
The tendency towards city life 1
Problems of the great city 1
Necessity for city-planning 2
Economy and efficiency promoted by a city plan 2
Elements of a comprehensive plan 4
Influence of the World’s Columbian Exposition on city-planning in
the United States 4
The success of the Exposition due to competent direction and loyalty
to Chicago 4
Improvement of the Lake front proposed by the South Park
Commissioners 6
Expansion of the South Parks system 7
The Commercial Club undertakes a plan of Chicago 7
Progress of the work 7
Scope of the undertaking 8
An ideal arrangement proposed 8
The Spirit of Chicago 8
CHAPTER II
CITY PLANNING IN ANCIENT AND MODERN TIMES
Commerce, the leading motive in the building of cities 9
Semiramis, the first city-builder 10
The building of Babylon 10
The pyramids and temples of Egypt 10
The work of Pericles at Athens 11
The development of Rome 12
City-building during the Middle Ages 13
Rise of the city during the Renaissance 13
Origin and growth of Paris 14
Paris built according to a definite plan 14
Louis XIV. and his city-builders 15
Napoleon Bonaparte begins the transformation of Paris 15
Haussmann completes the transformation of Paris 17
City-planning in Europe since 1872 19
The influence of European peace on city-building 19
City-planning in Germany 20
The creation of new thoroughfares in London 21
Town-planning in England 22
The L’Enfant plan of Washington 23
The United States Senate Park Commission plan for Washington 25
The Cleveland group-plan 27
The Boston park system 27
City-planning in Baltimore, St. Louis and San Francisco 28
Plans for Manila, and for a summer capital at Baguio 28
Improvements in various American cities 28
CHAPTER III
CHICAGO, THE METROPOLIS OF THE MIDDLE WEST
The Old North West Territory 31
Reasons for expecting continuous growth in the Middle West 31
Increase in the population of Chicago 32
Recovery after the great fire of 1871 32
Chicago’s population fifty years hence 33
Attractions of city life 33
The suburbs of Chicago 34
Real estate speculation subversive of good planning 35
The development of the suburb 36
Dependence of the suburb on the municipality 37
Highways along Lake Michigan 38
A system of highways for the territory within sixty miles of
Chicago 39
Suburban transit facilities 39
The advantages of good roads 39
Four sets of encircling highways proposed 40
Highways parallel to railroads 41
Suburban travel needs more comfortable conditions 41
The influence of the electric-railway and the automobile on
suburban life 42
CHAPTER IV
THE CHICAGO PARK SYSTEM
The motto of Chicago 43
Beginnings of the Chicago Park system 43
The Chicago boulevards 44
Park legislation 44
The small parks of Chicago 44
A metropolitan park system proposed 44
The Special Park Commission 44
London’s larger parks 48
The pleasures of Henley 48
The great parks of Paris and Vienna 49
Boston park reservations 49
The park system of the District of Columbia 49
The possibility of a comprehensive park system for Chicago 49
Treatment of the Chicago Lake front 50
A system of lagoons and lake parkways proposed 50
The acquisition and improvements of forest spaces 53
Physical characteristics of the country surrounding Chicago 55
An encircling system of forest parks 57
CHAPTER V
TRANSPORTATION
Chicago the creation of its railroads 61
Present problems in transportation 61
Congestion of railway traffic in 1906-07 62
The necessity for improved terminals 63
A freight center proposed for Chicago 63
Advantages of such an arrangement 63
Railroad and water traffic compared 64
A loop system for handling freight traffic 66
Harbor freight and passenger connections 68
The location of passenger stations on Twelfth and Canal
streets 70
Terminal stations 70
The traction systems 73
Comfort an object in passenger transportation 74
A perfect passenger and freight handling machine 76
The handling of the mails 76
The suburban station 78
The necessity for, and advantages of, harmonious action among the
Chicago railroads 78
CHAPTER VI
STREETS WITHIN THE CITY
The dominant natural features of Chicago 79
The need of new and enlarged channels of circulation 80
Causes of the growth of cities 81
Cleanliness the first consideration for city streets 82
Residence streets 83
The Avenue, or traffic street 84
The Boulevard 84
Street architecture 86
Traffic interruptions 88
The elliptical avenue 90
The planning of new subdivisions 91
The necessity for diagonal streets 93
Proposed new circuits 95
Improvement of the Chicago River 97
CHAPTER VII
THE HEART OF CHICAGO
Opportunity for creating a unified and convenient city 99
The problem of overcoming congestion in the business center 100
Solution of the problem simple and natural 100
Michigan Avenue: its importance in the city plan 100
The proposed improvement of Michigan Avenue 100
An elevated roadway 102
Bridges over the river 104
Improvement of Halsted Street 105
Slums of Chicago 106
The slum represents the failure of the city to protect its
people 106
The Financial Quarter 107
Grant Park as a spacious and attractive public garden 108
Location of the Field Museum, the Crerar Library and the Art
Institute 108
A Center of Letters 108
A yacht harbor 109
Art as a source of wealth 110
Public gifts by citizens 110
The opportunity offered for effective treatment of Chicago River
banks 110
The need of a main axis for Chicago 113
Such an axis would give organic unity to the city 113
Congress Street as the grand axis 113
A Civic Center 115
Buildings to be comprised in the civic center 115
Architectural treatment of the proposed buildings 116
The landscape setting 116
Effectiveness depends on harmony and good order 117
The civic center gives coherence to the city plan 117
Great advantages which will result from the treatment proposed 118
CHAPTER VIII
PLAN OF CHICAGO
The Plan a result of systematic study 119
The cost involved in carrying out the work 119
Wealth created by the growth of population 119
The people are financially able to realize the Plan 120
Three great public works undertaken by Chicago 120
The public spirit of Chicago as shown in music, art and education 120
Gifts for the public good 121
Reasons for believing that the public will favor the Plan of
Chicago 121
The Plan both practical and beautiful 121
The advantages to be derived from systematic development of
Chicago 121
Elements of the Plan reviewed 121
Improvement of the Lake front an economic necessity 122
Ease of realizing the interurban highway system 122
The transportation problem to be worked out by the railroads 122
Additional parks necessary to the physical and mental well-being of
the people 123
The attractive city a source of both wealth and satisfaction 124
APPENDIX
LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE PLAN OF CHICAGO
Introductory 127
Outer parks, boulevards, and circuits 130
City parks, squares, boulevards, and avenues 133
Lake shore development 137
Transportation problems 139
Control of lands adjacent to public improvements 139
Congested areas 151
Present borrowing and taxing powers 151
Conclusions 154
INDEX 157
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Bird’s-eye view, showing the location of Chicago on the shores of
Lake Michigan, together with the surrounding towns connected with
the city by radiating arteries _Frontispiece_
Wood-cut of Chicago in 1834 1
The World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893 2
The Court of Honor, showing effect
of a uniform cornice line 3
Plan showing orderly arrangement
of buildings 5
The Lake Front Park, original plan, 1896 6
Modified plan, 1904 7
The World’s Columbian Exposition; view of the Court of Honor,
looking west 8
The Pyramids at Gizeh 9
The Acropolis at Athens 10
The Greek Theatre at Syracuse, Sicily 10
Plan showing Nero’s Circus at Rome (First Century), Basilica of
St. Peter (Fourth Century), and the present
Cathedral of St. Peter (Sixteenth Century) 11
An ancient Roman circus, near the Appian Way 12
The Ponte Molle, Rome 12
Transformation of the banks of the Seine in Paris 14
Chronological views of the Place de la Bastille, Paris 15
The transformation of Paris under Haussmann: plan showing the
portion executed from 1854 to 1889 16
Paris. Plan proposed by M. Eugene Hénard for additional radial
arteries and an inner circuit boulevard on which would front the
principal existing administrative buildings and many
public monuments 17
Vienna. City center, in 1857, showing the fortifications 19
City center, after transformations made by order of
Francis Joseph in 1857 19
London. Plan of Aldwych and Kingsway connecting Holborn and the
Strand 20
London Traffic Commission’s plan for new thoroughfares to overcome
congestion, 1907 20
Original plan of Washington designed by Peter Charles
L’Enfant, 1791 22
The L’Enfant plan of Washington as developed by the Senate Park
Commission of 1901 23
The Washington Monument, garden, and Mall, looking towards the
Capitol; Senate Park Commission plan 24
The Plaza and Union Station, Washington, begun in 1902 24
Cleveland. Group-Plan 25
View from the civic center to the Lake 25
Plan for the development of the entire city of San Francisco 26
Bird’s-eye view of the plan of development for San Francisco 26
Plans for the development of Manila, submitted to the Philippine
Commission by D. H. Burnham, 1905 27
Plan for a summer capital of the Philippine Islands, at Baguio 28
Florence, Italy. Silhouette of towers 30
Chicago. Diagram of location with regard to the seven central
States 31
Chicago, and diagram of Lake Michigan 33
Nancy, France. View of the Place Stanislas 35
Forest of Fontainebleau, France 36
Chicago. The Sheridan Road north of Glencoe 37
The Des Plaines River; view near Madison Street bridge 40
General diagram of exterior highways encircling, or
radiating from, the city 40
The shore of Lake Michigan; view at the north line of
Cook County 41
View of Lake Zurich, Illinois 42
Chicago. Winter view of Grant Park and the proposed harbor,
looking east 43
General map showing topography, waterways, and complete
system of streets, boulevards, parkways, and parks 44
Berlin. Block plan showing the park system and proposed forest
reserves 45
Vienna. Block plan showing the park system and existing forest
reserves 46
District of Columbia. Block plan showing the park system and
additions 47
London. A view of Rotten Row in Hyde Park 48
Chicago. View of the city from Jackson Park to Grant Park, looking
towards the west 48
Park development proposed for the Lake shore from Jackson
Park to Wilmette 48
View of the proposed park on the south shore, looking
northwest towards the city 48
View looking south over the lagoons of the proposed park
for the south shore 48
Section through the park proposed for the south shore 48
The Midway Plaisance, showing the proposed waterway
connecting the lagoons of Washington Park with those of
Jackson Park 51
Typical view across the proposed south shore park 52
England. Henley-on-Thames: the regatta course 53
Henley-on-Thames: a regatta 53
Versailles, France. Plan of the palace, park, and gardens, and the
great arteries leading to the gates 54
View from the terrace, looking down the
main axis 55
Paris. View of the Sunken Garden in the Luxembourg Gardens 55
St. Germain, France. View of an avenue in the forest and
round-point 55
Chicago. Plan of a park proposed on the main east-and-west axis of
the city at Congress Street and Fifty-second Avenue 56
Plan of a park proposed at Western Boulevard and Garfield
Boulevard, being an extension of Gage Park 57
Plan of a park proposed at the north branch of the
Chicago River and Graceland Avenue 57
Plan of Sherman playground and park 58
Mark White Square 59
Hamilton Park 59
Sherman Park; view of field house 60
Sherman Park; view of swimming pool 60
Diagram of a system of freight handling for land and
water transportation 61
Assembling-interchange; diagrams accompanying the report
of the committee 63
Sketch diagram of docks suggested at the mouth of the
Chicago River 64
Sketch diagram of docks suggested at the mouth of the
Calumet River 65
Diagram of the city and surrounding country, showing
railroad circuits 67
Diagram of the city center, showing the general location
of existing freight yards and railroad lines, the
present tunnel system and proposed circuit, and
connections for all these services, running to the
central clearing yards 69
Diagram of the city, showing complete system of inner
circuits 70
Dresden. Viaduct and railway station (Hauptbahn-hof) passing above
the normal street level 71
Vienna. A railway viaduct passing over an important street 71
Chicago. Suggested arrangement of passenger stations west of the
river. Subway scheme 72
Suggested arrangement of passenger stations west of the
river. Overhead scheme 73
Diagram of city center, showing the proposed arrangement
of railroad passenger stations, the complete traction
system, including rapid transit, subway, and elevated
roads, and the circuit subway line 75
Railroad rights-of-way and properties in the center of
city and the existing radial arteries 76
Diagram of general scheme of street circulation and parks
in relation to the areas covered by industries and
manufactures 77
Viaduct at Auteuil over the River Seine, Paris, France 78
Chicago. The center of the city looking west, showing Grant Park,
the harbor, and the civic center 79
Plan of the street and boulevard system present and
proposed 80
View looking west over the city, showing the proposed
civic center, the grand axis, Grant Park, and the harbor 80
Map showing the successive city limits 81
Diagram of general scheme of street circulation and parks
in relation to the population 82
Theoretical diagram of street circulation 83
Existing and proposed diagonal arteries 85
Paris. The Avenue du Bois de Boulogne, looking towards the Arc
de Triomphe 86
The Tuileries Gardens and Champs Élyseés 86
The Champs Élyseés, from the Place de la Concorde 87
View from the Arc de Triomphe along the Avenue du Bois
de Boulogne 87
System of traffic circulation proposed by M. Hénard for public
places 89
Theoretical diagram of the streets of Paris 90
Theoretical diagram of the streets of Moscow 90
Theoretical diagram of the streets of Berlin 91
Theoretical diagram of the streets of London 91
Chicago. View of Grand Boulevard 92
View of the Lake Shore Drive 92
Plan of the city, showing the general system of boulevards
and parks existing and proposed 93
View of Drexel Boulevard 94
View of Michigan Avenue, looking north 94
Intersection of the three branches of the Chicago River 95
View looking north on the south branch of the
Chicago River 96
View of the south shore looking southeast over Grant Park 98
The proposed plaza on Michigan Avenue 99
Plan of the complete system of street circulation; railway
stations; parks; boulevard circuits and radial arteries;
public recreation piers; yacht harbor, and pleasure boat
piers; treatment of Grant Park; the main axis and the
civic center 100
Plan of the center of the city, showing the present and
proposed street and boulevard system 100
Proposed boulevard to connect the north and south sides
of the river 100
Plan of Michigan Avenue from Twelfth Street to the river,
and its extension on Pine Street to Chicago Avenue 102
Proposed boulevard and parkway on Michigan Avenue and
Pine Street 102
Proposed boulevard on Michigan Avenue; view looking north
from a point east of the Public Library 104
View of Pine Street 105
Paris. View of the Rue de la Paix and the Column Vendôme 105
Chicago. Michigan Avenue, looking towards the south 106
Sketch plan of the intersection of Michigan Avenue and
Twelfth Street 107
Preliminary sketch of the plaza at Michigan Avenue and
Twelfth Street 108
Proposed Twelfth Street boulevard at intersections with
Michigan Avenue and Ashland Avenue 108
Railway station scheme west of the river between Canal
and Clinton streets 108
Alternate railway station scheme west of the river
between Canal and Clinton streets 109
Plan of Grant Park and the harbor 110
Elevation of Grant Park and harbor and the eastern façade
of the city on Michigan Avenue 110
Section looking north, taken through the proposed grand
axis of the city 110
Bird’s-eye view at night of Grant Park 112
Proposed plaza on Michigan Avenue west of the Field
Museum of Natural History 112
The business center of the city, within the first circuit
boulevard 112
Plan of the proposed group of municipal buildings or
civic center 112
Elevation showing the group of buildings constituting
the proposed civic center 112
View, looking west, of the proposed civic center plaza
and buildings 112
Paris. The Place de la Concorde, looking over the Seine towards
the Madeleine 113
Dresden. The Zwingerhof 113
Vienna. The Ringstrasse 114
Rome. St. Peter’s Cathedral 114
Chicago. View of the proposed development in the center of the
city, from Twenty-second Street to Chicago Avenue, looking
towards the east 114
Berlin. Spree Island 115
Chicago. The proposed civic center square 116
Study for the dome of the proposed civic center 118
View eastward to Lake Michigan 119
“The Great Lakes” 124
* * * * *
The drawings for the Plan of Chicago were executed by Ben E. Holden,
Clarence E. Howard, Chester M. Davison, Chris U. Bagge, and Leo
Strelka. Mr. Holden was identified with the study of the general plan
and the park system, both in general and in detail; Mr. Howard with
the Center of the City and the Railroads; and Mr. Davison with the
treatment of the Lake Front. The plans for the Civic Center and for
Grant Park were studied by Fernand Janin of Paris, who came to Chicago
in 1908 for that especial purpose. The renderings by Jules Guerin were
made during extended visits to Chicago in 1907, and again in 1908. The
work of both Mr. Guerin and Mr. Janin appears over their names. The
Sanitary District Map of the City of Chicago has been used in compiling
the plan drawings. Plate XVII is compiled from plans published in “Les
Transformations de Paris.”
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO
ORGANIZED 1877; UNITED WITH THE MERCHANTS CLUB, 1907.
THE MERCHANTS CLUB COMMITTEE ON THE PLAN OF CHICAGO, 1906-7. Charles
D. Norton, _Chairman_; Charles H. Wacker, _Vice-Chairman_; David R.
Forgan, _Treasurer_; Walter H. Wilson, _Chairman Finance Committee_;
Edward B. Butler, Frederic A. Delano; Daniel H. Burnham, _Architect_.
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB COMMITTEES ON THE PLAN OF CHICAGO, 1907-08.
GENERAL COMMITTEE. Charles D. Norton, _Chairman_; Charles H. Wacker,
_Vice-Chairman_; Frederic A. Delano, _Secretary_; Walter H. Wilson,
_Treasurer_; Adolphus C. Bartlett, Edward B. Butler, Clyde M. Carr,
John V. Farwell, Jr., Joy Morton, Charles H. Thorne; Daniel H.
Burnham, _Architect_.
ON LAKE FRONT. Edward B. Butler, _Chairman_; Leslie Carter, Charles
G. Dawes, John V. Farwell, Jr., Victor F. Lawson, Harold F. McCormick.
ON BOULEVARD TO CONNECT THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES. Clyde M. Carr,
_Chairman_; Charles H. Conover, James L. Houghteling, Albert A.
Sprague II., Charles H. Thorne, Frederic W. Upham, Charles H. Wacker.
ON RAILWAY TERMINALS. Joy Morton, _Chairman_; Adolphus C. Bartlett,
William J. Chalmers, Charles H. Hulburd, Chauncey Keep, Franklin
MacVeagh, Cyrus H. McCormick, Martin A. Ryerson, John G. Shedd,
Albert A. Sprague.
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB COMMITTEES ON THE PLAN OF CHICAGO, 1908-9.
GENERAL COMMITTEE. Charles D. Norton, _Chairman_; Charles H. Wacker,
_Vice-Chairman_; Frederic A. Delano, _Secretary_; Walter H. Wilson,
_Treasurer_; Adolphus C. Bartlett, Edward B. Butler, Clyde M. Carr,
John V. Farwell, Charles L. Hutchinson, Rollin A. Keyes, Joy Morton,
Charles H. Thorne; Daniel H. Burnham, _Architect_.
ON LAKE PARKS. Edward B. Butler, _Chairman_; Edgar A. Bancroft,
William L. Brown, Charles G. Dawes, John V. Farwell, Harold F.
McCormick, John J. Mitchell.
ON STREETS AND BOULEVARDS. Clyde M. Carr, _Chairman_; Charles H.
Conover, Thomas E. Donnelley, James L. Houghteling, Albert A. Sprague
II., Frederic W. Upham, Charles H. Wacker.
ON RAILWAY TERMINALS. Joy Morton, _Chairman_; Adolphus C. Bartlett,
Franklin MacVeagh, Cyrus H. McCormick, Martin A. Ryerson, John G.
Shedd, Albert A. Sprague.
ON INTERURBAN ROADWAYS. Charles H. Thorne, _Chairman_; Benjamin
Carpenter, Edward F. Carry, Homer A. Stillwell, Charles L. Strobel.
ON FINANCE. Adolphus C. Bartlett, _Chairman_; Charles G. Dawes,
Charles L. Hutchinson, Albert A. Sprague, Walter H. Wilson.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS
PRIOR TO JUNE 1, 1909
Adams, George E.
Aldis, Arthur T.
Aldis, Owen F.
Alexander, William A.
Allen, Benjamin
Alvord, John W.
American Radiator Company
Armour, J. Ogden
Armstrong, Frank H.
Arnold, Bion J.
Ayer, Edward E.
Bailey, Edward P.
Baker, Alfred L.
Baker, Howard W.
Bancroft, Edgar A.
Banks, Alexander F.
Barber, Bryant H.
Barnes, Albert R.
Barnhart, Kenneth
Bartlett, Adolphus C.
Bartlett, Charles L.
Barton, Enos M.
Bates, Onward
Becker, Abraham G.
Beidler, Francis
Beifeld, Joseph
Bigelow Brothers & Walker Company
Billings, Frank
Birk, William A.
Blair, Chauncey J.
Blair, Henry A.
Blair, Watson F.
Bode, Frederick
Booth, W. Vernon
Bowen, Joseph T.
Boynton, Charles T.
Brand, Rudolph
Bremer, Herman H.
Brill, George M.
Brown, William L.
Buckingham, Clarence
Buda Foundry & Manufacturing Company
Buffington, Eugene J.
Burley, Clarence A.
Burnham, Daniel H.
Bush, William H.
Butler, Edward B.
Butler, Estate of Hermon B.
Butz, Otto C.
Canby, Caleb H.
Carpenter, Augustus A., Jr.
Carpenter, Benjamin
Carr, Clyde M.
Carry, Edward F.
Carton, Laurence A.
Chalmers, William J.
Chapin, S. B. & Company.
Clark, John M.
Clow, William E.
Cochran, J. Lewis
Cofran, John W. G.
Comstock, Charles G.
Condron, Theodore L.
Conover, Charles H.
Corwith, Charles R.
Cowan, William K.
Cowles, Alfred
Cox, Rensselaer W.
Crane, Charles R.
Crane, Richard T. Jr.
Crowell, Henry P.
Cudahy, Michael
Culver, Helen
Cummings, D. Mark
Cummings, Edmund A.
Cunningham, Frank S.
Dau, J. J.
Dawes, Charles G.
Day, Chapin A.
Deering, Charles
Deering, James
Delano, Frederic A.
Dewes, Francis J.
Dewey, Albert B.
De Wolf, Wallace L.
Dick, Albert B.
Dixon, Arthur
Donnelley, Thomas E.
Downey, Joseph
Durand, Elliott
Earling, Albert J.
Eckhart, Barnard A.
Eckstein, Louis
Edward Hines Lumber Company
Eisendrath, Joseph N.
Eitel, Emil
Ellsworth, James W.
Ewen, John M.
Fair, Robert M.
Falkenau, Victor
Farwell, Granger
Farwell, John V.
Fay, Charles N.
Felton, Samuel M.
Ferguson, Louis A.
Fetzer, John C.
Field, John S.
Field, Stanley
Findeisen & Kropf Manufacturing Company
Foote, Erastus
Foreman, Edwin G.
Forgan, David R.
Forgan, James B.
Frost, Albert C.
Fuller, William A.
Gardner, William A.
Gerstenberg, Erich G.
Gilbert, Harry K.
Glessner, John J.
Goodman, Herbert E.
Granger, Alfred H.
Greeley-Howard Company
Gregory, Robert B.
Grey, Charles F.
Grosscup, Peter S.
Gurley, William W.
Hamill, Ernest A.
Hammond, Robert R.
Hardy, F. A. & Company
Harris, George B.
Harris, John F.
Harris, Joseph
Harris, Norman W.
Hart, H. Stillson
Haskell, Frederick T.
Hately, John C.
Haugan, Helge A.
Hewitt, Charles M.
Heyworth, James O.
Heyworth, Lawrence
Holt, George H.
Hoover, Frank K.
Horton, George T.
Horton, Horace E.
Houghteling, James L.
Hoyt, William M.
Hughitt, Marvin
Hulbert, Edmund D.
Hulburd, Charles H.
Hull, Morton D.
Hurley, Edward N.
Hutchins, James C.
Hutchinson, Charles L.
Insull, Samuel
Isham, Mrs. R. N.
Jackson, George W.
James, Fred S.
Johnson, Frank S.
Johnston, Hugh McBirney
Jones, Arthur B.
Jones, David B.
Jones, Frank H.
Jones, William D.
Keep, Chauncey
Kelley, William V.
Kenna, Edward D.
Kent, William
Kesner, Jacob L.
Keyes, Rollin A.
Kimball, Charles F.
Kimball, W. W. Co.
Kurz, Adolph
Laflin, Louis E.
Lamont, Robert P.
Langhorst, Henry A.
Lathrop, Bryan
Lawrence, Dwight
Lawson, Victor F.
Lefens, Thies J.
Leicht, Edward A.
Lincoln, Robert T.
Lindgren, John R.
Linn, William R.
Lobdell, Edwin L.
Logan, Frank G.
Lombard, Isaac G.
Lord, John B.
Lowden, Frank O.
Lynch, John A.
Lyon, John K.
Lytton, Henry C.
MacVeagh, Franklin
Madlener, Albert F.
Magnus, August C.
Mandel, Leon
Mark, Clayton
Martin, William P.
Matz, Rudolph
Mayer, Levy
McCord, Alvin C.
McCormick, Cyrus H.
McCormick, Harold F.
McCullough, Hiram R.
McLaughlin, William F.
Meeker, Arthur
Mendius, Carl
Merryweather, George
Miller, Darius
Miller, Harry I.
Miller, John S.
Miner, William H.
Mitchell, John J.
Mitten, Thomas E.
Modjeski, Ralph
Morris, Edward
Morron, John R.
Morton, Joy
Morton, Mark
Murdock, Thomas
Norlin, Fred
Norton, Charles D.
Noyes, Frank B.
Noyes, La Verne W.
Ortmann, Rudolph
Ortseifen, Adam
Otis, Joseph E. Estate
Otis, Spencer
Paepcke, Hermann
Palmer, Honore
Palmer, Percival B.
Palmer, Potter, Jr.
Paper Mills Company, The
Patten, James A.
Peabody, Francis B.
Peabody, Francis S.
Pirie, John T., Jr.
Pitkin, Edward H.
Pool, Marvin B.
Pope, Henry
Porter, Henry H.
Porter, Henry H., Jr.
Potter, Edwin A.
Rawson, Frederick H.
Rehm, William H.
Revell, Alexander H.
Reynolds, George M.
Rickcords, George E.
Ripley, Edward P.
Robinson, Theodore W.
Rogers, Brown & Company
Rosenthal, Benjamin J.
Rosenwald, Julius
Rubens, Harry
Rudolph, Franklin
Russell, Edmund A.
Russell, Brewster & Company
Ryerson, Edwin L.
Ryerson, Martin A.
Sard, William H.
Sargent, George M.
Scott, John W.
Scully, Arthur B.
Sears, Richard W.
Seipp, Philip W.
Selz, J. Harry
Shaffer, John C.
Shaffner, Joseph
Shedd, Edward A.
Shedd, John G.
Shirk, Elbert W.
Simpson, James
Skinner, Edward M.
Smith, Byron L.
Smith, Mrs. George T.
Smith, Orson
Smith, Walter B.
Soper, James P.
Spoor, John A.
Sprague, Albert A.
Sprague, Otho S. A.
Starring, Mason B.
Stevens, Charles A.
Stillwell, Homer A.
Strobel, Charles L.
Stumer, Louis M.
Sullivan, Roger C.
Sunny, Bernard E.
Swift, Charles H.
Swift, Edward F.
Swift, George B.
Swift, Louis F.
Theurer, Joseph
Thoman, Leroy D.
Thomas, Benjamin
Thompson, John R.
Thompson, William M.
Thorne, Charles H.
Thorne, George R.
Tilden, Edward
Tilt, Joseph E.
Turner, Edward A.
Uhrlaub, Adolph
Uihlein, Edgar J.
Upham, Frederic W.
Van Valkenburg, William
Viles, James, Jr.
Wacker, Charles H.
Walker, Henry H.
Wallace, John F.
Ward, A. Montgomery
Warner, Ezra J.
Warren, William S.
Watson, J. V.
Watson, William J.
Wells, Addison E.
Wells, M. D. Company
Wheeler, Arthur D.
Wheeler, Charles P.
Wheeler, Harry A.
Wilder, John E.
Wilder, T. Edward
Willard, Daniel
Willing, Mark S.
Willits, Ward W.
Wilmarth, Mrs. Mary J.
Wilson, John P.
Wilson, Walter H.
Winchell, Benjamin L.
Winston, Frederick S.
Winston, Payne, Strawn & Shaw
Wolff, L. Manufacturing Company
Wrenn, John H.
Young, Charles O.
PLAN OF CHICAGO
[Illustration: II. WOOD-CUT OF CHICAGO IN 1834.]
PLAN OF CHICAGO
CHAPTER I
ORIGIN OF THE PLAN OF CHICAGO: THE WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION OF
1893 AND ITS RESULTS: THE SPIRIT OF CHICAGO
The tendency of mankind to congregate in cities is a marked
characteristic of modern times. This movement is confined to no one
country, but is world-wide. Each year Rome, and the cities of the
Orient, as well as Berlin, New York, and Chicago, are adding to their
population at an unprecedented rate. Coincident with this urban
development there has been a widespread increase in wealth, and also
an enlarged participation on the part of the people in the work of
government. As a natural result of these causes has come the desire to
better the conditions of living. Men are becoming convinced that the
formless growth of the city is neither economical nor satisfactory;
and that overcrowding and congestion of traffic paralyze the vital
functions of the city. The complicated problems which the great city
develops are now seen not to be beyond the control of aroused public
sentiment; and practical men of affairs are turning their attention
to working out the means whereby the city may be made an efficient
instrument for providing all its people with the best possible
conditions of living.
Chicago, in common with other great cities, realizes that the time has
come to bring order out of the chaos incident to rapid growth, and
especially to the influx of people of many nationalities without common
traditions or habits of life. Among the various instrumentalities
designed to accomplish this result, a plan for a well-ordered and
convenient city is seen to be indispensable; and to the task of
producing such a plan the Commercial Club has devoted its energies for
the past three years.
It is not to be expected that any plan devised while as yet few civic
problems have received final solution will be perfect in all its
details. It is claimed for the plan herein presented, that it is the
result of extended and careful study of the needs of Chicago, made
by disinterested men of wide experience, amid the very conditions
which it is sought to remedy; and that during the years devoted to
its preparation the plan has had the benefit of varied and competent
criticism. The real test of this plan will be found in its application;
for, such is the determination of the people to secure more perfect
conditions, it is certain that if the plan is really good it will
commend itself to the progressive spirit of the times, and sooner or
later it will be carried out.
[Illustration: III. THE WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, CHICAGO, 1893.
The Court of Honor, looking towards the Peristyle.]
It should be understood, however, that such radical changes as are
proposed herein cannot possibly be realized immediately. Indeed,
the aim has been to anticipate the needs of the future as well as
to provide for the necessities of the present: in short, to direct
the development of the city towards an end that must seem ideal, but
is practical. Therefore it is quite possible that when particular
portions of the plan shall be taken up for execution, wider knowledge,
longer experience, or a change in local conditions may suggest a
better solution; but, on the other hand, before any departure shall
be determined upon, it should be made clear that such a change is
justified.
[Illustration: IV. THE WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, CHICAGO, 1893. THE
COURT OF HONOR, LOOKING TOWARDS THE PERISTYLE.
This view shows the effect of an orderly arrangement of buildings and a
uniform cornice line. From a painting by Mente.]
If many elements of the proposed plan shall seem familiar, it should be
remembered that the purpose has not been to invent novel problems for
solution, but to take up the pressing needs of to-day, and to find the
best methods of meeting those requirements, carrying each particular
problem to its ultimate conclusion as a component part of a great
entity,—a well-ordered, convenient, and unified city.
This conception of the task is the justification of a comprehensive
plan of Chicago. To many who have given little consideration to the
subject, a plan seems to call for large expenditures and a consequent
increase in taxation. The reverse is the case. It is certain that
civic improvement will go on at an accelerated rate; and if those
improvements shall be marshaled according to a well-ordered plan great
saving must result. Good order and convenience are not expensive;
but haphazard and ill-considered projects invariably result in
extravagance and wastefulness. A plan insures that whenever any public
or semi-public work shall be undertaken, it will fall into its proper
and predetermined place in the general scheme, and thus contribute to
the unity and dignity of the city.
The plan frankly takes into consideration the fact that the American
city, and Chicago preeminently, is a center of industry and traffic.
Therefore attention is given to the betterment of commercial
facilities; to methods of transportation for persons and for goods;
to removing the obstacles which prevent or obstruct circulation;
and to the increase of convenience. It is realized, also, that good
workmanship requires a large degree of comfort on the part of the
workers in their homes and their surroundings, and ample opportunity
for that rest and recreation without which all work becomes drudgery.
Then, too, the city has a dignity to be maintained; and good order is
essential to material advancement. Consequently, the plan provides for
impressive groupings of public buildings, and reciprocal relations
among such groups. Moreover, consideration is given to the fact that
in all probability Chicago, within the lifetime of persons now living,
will become a greater city than any existing at the present time; and
that therefore the most comprehensive plans of to-day will need to be
supplemented in a not remote future. Opportunity for such expansion is
provided for.
The origin of the plan of Chicago can be traced directly to the World’s
Columbian Exposition. The World’s Fair of 1893 was the beginning, in
our day and in this country, of the orderly arrangement of extensive
public grounds and buildings. The result came about quite naturally.
Chicago had become a commercial community wherein men were accustomed
to get together to plan for the general good. Moreover, those at the
head of affairs were, many of them, the same individuals who had taken
part in every movement since the city had emerged from the condition of
a mere village. They were so accustomed to results even beyond their
most sanguine predictions, that it was easy for them to believe that
their Fair might surpass all fairs that had preceded it.
Then, too, the men of Chicago, trained in intense commercial activity,
had learned the lesson that great success cannot be attained unless
the special work in hand shall be entrusted to those best fitted to
undertake it. It had become the habit of our business men to select
some one to take the responsibility in every important enterprise; and
to give to that person earnest, loyal, and steadfast support. Thus
the design and arrangement of the buildings of the World’s Columbian
Exposition, which have never been surpassed, were due primarily to the
feeling of loyalty to the city and to its undertakings; and secondly,
to the habit of entrusting great works to men trained in the practice
of such undertakings.[1]
[Illustration: V. THE WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION GROUNDS IN JACKSON
PARK.
Plan showing the harmonious arrangement of buildings.
MAP OF THE
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
OF THE
WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION
AT
JACKSON PARK
AND THE
MIDWAY PLAISANCE.
CHICAGO ILL U.S.A.
MARCH 1893.
ISSUED BY
CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT
D. H. Burnham Director of Works]
The results of the World’s Fair of 1893 were many and far-reaching.
To the people of Chicago the dignity, beauty, and convenience of the
transitory city in Jackson Park seemed to call for the improvement
of the water front of the city. With this idea in mind, the South
Park Commissioners, during the year following the Fair, proposed
the improvement of the Lake front from Jackson Park to Grant Park.
Following out this suggestion, a plan for a connection between the two
parks was drawn to a large scale, and the project was presented at a
meeting of the West and South Park Commissioners. Later this design was
exhibited at a dinner given by the Commercial Club; and many business
men were emphatic in expressing their conviction that the proposed
scheme would be of enormous value to Chicago, and that it should be
adopted and carried into execution. This was the inception of the
project for a park out in the Lake, having a lagoon between it and the
shore.
[Illustration: VI. THE LAKE FRONT PARK, EXTENDING FROM JACKSON PARK TO
GRANT PARK, ALONG THE SOUTH SHORE OF LAKE MICHIGAN.
Original plan, 1896.
THE SOUTH SHORE DRIVE
D. H. BURNHAM DESIGNER.
1896 ]
During the next three or four years more careful studies of the Lake
front scheme were made, and very large drawings were prepared for a
meeting at the Women’s Club and the Art Institute, and for a Merchants
Club dinner at the Auditorium. The newspapers and magazines, both at
home and throughout the country, united in commenting on and commending
the undertaking; and during the decade that has elapsed since the
plans were first presented, the proposed improvement has never been
forgotten, but has ever been looked upon as something sure to be
accomplished. This was the beginning of a general plan for the city.
[Illustration: VII. THE LAKE FRONT PARK, EXTENDING FROM JACKSON PARK TO
GRANT PARK, ALONG THE SOUTH SHORE OF LAKE MICHIGAN.
Modified plan, 1904.
PLAN OF
SOUTH SHORE DRIVE & WATERWAY
CHICAGO
D. H. BURNHAM & CO. ARCHT’S. ]
While these projects were in course of preparation, an extensive
expansion of the South Parks system was in progress, and a plan was
formulated for a metropolitan park system, including an outer belt of
parks and parkways. These movements were started with energy in 1903,
under the general direction of the South Park Commissioners and the
Special Park Commission; and the results of their work have been useful
to those who have undertaken the present task.
Early in 1906 the Merchants Club arranged for the preparation of a
complete project for the future development of Chicago. In order to
facilitate the progress of the work, rooms were built on the roof of
Railway Exchange Building, where the drawings have been prepared and
the studies have been made. The Merchants Club and the Commercial Club
having been merged in 1907 under the name of the latter organization,
the work has continued under the auspices of that association. The
committee on the plan has held several hundred meetings; during many
weeks meetings have taken place daily; and throughout the entire time
no week has passed without one or more such gatherings. By invitation
of the Club, the Governor of Illinois, the Mayor of Chicago, and many
other public officials have visited the rooms where the work was in
progress, and have become familiar with the entire scheme as it was
being worked out. The Department of State, through the United States
consuls in various European cities, has furnished valuable information
relative to civic developments now in progress. Thus the plans have
had the benefit of many criticisms and suggestions, made by persons
especially conversant with existing conditions. Moreover, visitors
interested in the improvement of cities and in park work of all kinds
have come from both our own and foreign towns; and from them also much
of value and encouragement has been gained.
In presenting this report, the Commercial Club realizes that from
time to time supplementary reports will be necessary to emphasize
one feature or another which may come prominently before the public
for adoption. At the same time, it is confidently believed that this
presentation of the entire subject accomplishes the task which has been
recognized from the outset, namely:
_First_, to make the careful study of the physical conditions of
Chicago as they now exist;
_Second_, to discover how those conditions may be improved;
_Third_, to record such conclusions in the shape of drawings and texts
which shall become a guide for the future development of Chicago.
In creating the ideal arrangement, every one who lives here is better
accommodated in his business and his social activities. In bringing
about better freight and passenger facilities, every merchant and
manufacturer is helped. In establishing a complete park and parkway
system, the life of the wage-earner and of his family is made healthier
and pleasanter; while the greater attractiveness thus produced keeps
at home the people of means and taste, and acts as a magnet to draw
those who seek to live amid pleasing surroundings. The very beauty
that attracts him who has money makes pleasant the life of those among
whom he lives, while anchoring him and his wealth to the city. The
prosperity aimed at is for all Chicago.
This same spirit which carried out the Exposition in such a manner as
to make it a lasting credit to the city is still the soul of Chicago,
vital and dominant; and even now, although many new men are at the
front, it still controls and is doing a greater work than it was in
1893. It finds the men; it makes the occasion; it attracts the sincere
and unselfish; it vitalizes the organization, and impels it to reach
heights not believed possible of attainment. This spirit still exists.
It is present to-day among us. Indeed, it seems to gather force with
the years and the opportunities. It is even now impelling us to
larger and better achievements for the public good. It conceals no
private purpose, no hidden ends. This spirit—the spirit of Chicago—is
our greatest asset. It is not merely civic pride: it is rather the
constant, steady determination to bring about the very best conditions
of city life for all the people, with full knowledge that what we as a
people decide to do in the public interest we can and surely will bring
to pass.
[Illustration: VIII. THE WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. VIEW OF THE
COURT OF HONOR, LOOKING WEST.
From a painting by Moran.]
FOOTNOTES:
[1] A significant illustration of the spirit in which the World’s Fair
work was conceived is found in one incident. On the appointed day
the architects assembled to submit to the general committee sketches
for their several buildings. There had been a luncheon, prolonged by
animated discussion. The scheme as a whole had begun to take hold
of the men. The short winter afternoon was approaching an end, when
Richard M. Hunt (then the dean of the architectural profession),
suffering from the severe pains of rheumatism, slowly arose to speak
of the Administration Building, a sketch of which he fastened to the
wall. The New York architect who followed Mr. Hunt had on his building
a dome four hundred and fifty feet high. Instantly a murmur ran around
the group. The designer turned from the sketch. “I think,” he said,
with deliberation, “I shall not advocate that dome; and probably I
shall modify the building.” There was a breath of satisfaction. The
next architect had a portico extending out over the terrace. Without
waiting for criticism, he said he should draw the portico back to the
face of the building. As one by one each man fastened his sketch to the
wall, it was as still as death in the room; and those present could
feel the great work drawing them as by a magnet; and each was willing
to sacrifice his personal ideas to secure the unity of the whole
composition. Finally the last drawing was shown; the last explanation
had been made. Mr. Saint-Gaudens, who had sat in a corner all day
listening, but never speaking and scarcely moving, went over to Mr.
Burnham, and taking both his hands exclaimed: “Do you realize that this
is the greatest meeting of artists since the fifteenth century?”
[Illustration: IX. THE PYRAMIDS AT GIZEH.]