8th Street Fountain, Classical fountain in Grant Park, Chicago, United States
The 8th Street Fountain is a classical fountain in Grant Park, Chicago, built in 1927 by architects Bennett, Parsons, and Frost. It is one of three matching fountains originally placed along the Michigan Avenue edge of the park; only this one survives. The fountain has a modest scale compared to Buckingham Fountain, also built in 1927.
The 8th Street Fountain was erected in 1927, designed by the architectural firm Bennett, Parsons and Frost. Edward H. Bennett had been hired to complete Grant Park after Daniel H. Burnham's death, and his plan used a classical vocabulary with formal symmetry. Three matching fountains originally lined the Michigan Avenue edge of the park; only this one survives, with another once standing at Randolph Street.
Three matching fountains once lined the Michigan Avenue edge of Grant Park; only this one survives, and another stood at Randolph Street. Its name comes from the East 8th Street axis it marks, a spot where visitors can still trace Bennett's symmetrical plan for the park's western border.
The fountain stands on the Michigan Avenue edge of Grant Park, at the East 8th Street axis, a short walk from the South Michigan Avenue sidewalk. It is one of three matching fountains originally built there; the Randolph Street one is gone, so look for the survivor south of that site. The surrounding lawn and paths are open parkland, and the north end of the park connects toward Millennium Park.
The fountain incorporates formal symmetry and classical architectural elements while maintaining a more modest scale compared to other park structures.
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