—-UNDER CONSTRUCTION—

(Andrew) Jackson Park 

6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

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Short Introduction:

Andrew Jackson Park, originally known as South Park, is a picturesque 593-acre park connecting to Washington Park through the Midway Plaisance. This park was the main site for the 1893 World’s Fair/World’s Columbian Exposition. It now houses the Museum of Science and Industry, the Animal Bridge, the Clarence Darrow Bridge, Japanese Pavillion/Osaka Garden, Columbian Basin, Bobolink Meadows, Community Garden, and connections to the Lakefront beaches. Jackson Park is on the National Register of Historic Places List. 

Local History/Background for Teachers’ Prep: 

  • Previously known as “South Park,” eastern part was known as “Lake Park”

  • Architects of Jackson Park 

  • 1893 World’s Fair & “The White City” 

  • Wooded Island ~ Japanese Phoenix Pavilion aka Osaka Garden 

  • National Register of Historic Places (1972)

  • Women’s Garden Removed for the Obama Presidential Center ~ Tree Damage 

  • Future Outlook: Obama Presidential Center 

Videos (Pre-Field Trip Prep):

South Parks Video- Created by the Washington Park Camera Club in partnership with the Hyde Park Historical Society and the Terra Foundation:

https://www.hydeparkhistory.org/south-park-then-and-now

Chicago’s Lakefront | Jackson Park by WTTW

https://youtu.be/MO-IIt-pNjs?si=PX8_Ce1JVKFHjVVS 

Jackson Park in Chicago will be home for presidential library:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1314369/Jackson-Park-Chicago-home-presidential-library.html 

Jackson Park - Chicago, Illinois - Aerial Video

https://youtu.be/HpIAbp9Izq8?si=4oWjSRrnO-JvctlI 

Questions for Discussion:

  • Jackson Park has a storied history spanning decades. If you had to pick 3 places within Jackson Park to tell people about it’s history, what would they be?

  • Do you think Jackson Park is a good spot for housing the Obama Presidential Center?

  • What are the benefits of having a public park with so many facilities onsite?

  • Would you recommend others come to this park?

Suggested Activities:

Walking Tour Script:

  • Frederick Law Olmsted designed Jackson Park and Washington Park in Chicago. 

  • Jackson Park was the site of the 1893 World’s Fair because of the Michigan Lake view and because Downtown was too polluted and cramped. 

  • To this day, artifacts from the World’s Fair are found in the grounds of Jackson Park. 

  • Museum of Science and Industry

  • Clarence Darrow Bridge and Nancy Campbell Hayes Bridge 

Further Resources:

Further Resources:

Chicago Architecture Center: “Jackson Park” https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/jackson-park/ 

Chicago Studies: Jackson (Andrew) Park

https://chicagostudies.uchicago.edu/woodlawn/woodlawn-jackson-andrew-park 

South Side Weekly: “Remembering the Jackson Park Trees: A Photo Essay”

https://southsideweekly.com/remembering-the-jackson-park-trees-a-photo-essay/