Independence Square Fountain - Chicago, IL
Posted by: 
adgorn
N 41° 51.762 W 087° 43.172
16T E 440282 N 4634782
A base which hints at the shape of the Liberty Bell topped by four figures of children celebrating the Fourth of July. The children, two boys and two girls, are dressed in typical turn-of-the-century garb such as high-button shoes and knickers.
Waymark Code: WMCQTG
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 10/04/2011
Views: 3
Continued from the Smithsonian database (
visit link) :
"They carry flares, noise makers, a drum, and a bugle. A flag at the top swirls around one boy. Water sprays out from the objects they hold and from jets located around the perimeter of the fountain basin. A tall fence surrounds the fountain basin.
Dimensions: Sculpture: approx. H. 10 ft. Diam 8 ft.; Base: approx. H. 15 ft. Diam. 20 ft.
Other Titles: Fourth of July Fountain
Remarks: Bronze plaques with bas-relief scenes showing an Indian facing a file of colonial troops and the signing of the Declaration of Independence were once attached to the base, but are now missing."
From Riedy's "Chicago Sculpture":
"When the fountain was dedicated on July 4, 1902, an estimated 10,000 persons appeared for the ceremonies, which opened with a 45-gun salute by the National Guard. Chicago sculptor Lorado Taft said at the event, "I rejoice at this fountain as being the beginning of real artistic decoration of public places in Chicago."
FYI: Sculptor Mulligan is noted for many (waymarked) pieces throughout Chicago and Illinois.
The boulevard system ringing Chicago was once a grand way to travel around the western edge of the city. For the first half of the 1900s, Douglas Boulevard (heading east from this location) was the hub of Chicago's west side Jewish community. There were many synagogues and Jewish community buildings lining this street and throughout the neighborhood.