Robert Cavelier de LaSalle Monument

This bronze sculpture in Lincoln Park depicts a French explorer holding a weapon while looking outward across the park. The Belgian sculptor Jacques de Lalaing created the work, which stands along one of the main pathways.

The monument was donated to Chicago's parks in 1889 by Lambert Tree and his wife Anna to honor an explorer who traveled through eastern North America in the 1600s. It stands as a reminder of French exploration and territorial claims in the region during that era.

The statue depicts a French explorer in a heroic pose as 19th-century artists imagined him. This image continues to shape how people view this historical figure in the city today.

The monument sits at the intersection of North Clark Street and LaSalle Drive, where several park paths meet. It is easy to reach on foot from the main park entrances.

The statue has been moved several times, most recently in the 1990s to make room for an underground parking structure. These relocations show how the city has changed while trying to keep its monuments in place.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1888

Creator: Jacques de Lalaing

Official opening: October 12, 1889

GPS coordinates: 41.91336,-87.63275

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:47