Jackson Park

Jackson Park, project 120 Chicago is focused on completing the vision of Daniel Burnham and Frederick Law Olmsted for Jackson Park following the World’s Colombian Exposition. On February 24, 1890, the city of Chicago was selected by the united states government to host one of the most important international events in the country’s history—a world’s fair to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the new world in 1492. Located in the middle of the country, at the crossroads of transportation and commerce, Chicago rose quickly from the ashes of the great fire of 1871. Seemingly overnight, Chicago’s Jackson Park, on the south shore of Lake Michigan, was transformed from sand and marshland into an electrified city of gigantic neoclassic buildings for the World’s Colombian Exposition. It was there, in what became known as the “white city,” that over twenty seven million visitors would come from around the world to see the best examples of industrial, scientific, and artistic talents of the day. Project 120 Chicago is being developed in the tradition of Burnham and Olmsted and promotes the vision of the Chicago culture plan 2012.