Electric Boats/Jackson Park

Jackson Park was the main site of the Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893. The park existed, however, decades before the actual Fair began. In the 1870s, the land itself was dredged, and in the 1880s, a permanent beach was completed from 56th to 59th streets. In 1890, official planning began for the Exposition. Frederick Law Olmsted was the fairgrounds landscape architect. His overall vision was that of an aquatic paradise that included canals, a lagoon, and a pond. When the exposition grounds were turned into a public park after the Fair ended, the aquatic elements of the site remained. In 1903, major improvements were made, outfitting the park with shrubbery, trees, bridges and driveways. Here, a spring day is being enjoyed by sun-worshipping visitors to the Jackson Park Lagoon.