Buckingham Fountain

Posted 4 months ago by chitowngal in response to

chimpy's question: Why is the Buckingham Fountain so famous? (give a different answer) .

Located in Grant Park, commissioned by Kate Buckingham for the people of Chicago in memory of her brother Clarence was built in 1927.
According to the Chicago Park District; Edward H. Bennett designed the fountain to represent Lake Michigan with four sea horses, built by Marcel Loyau, to symbolize the four states that touch the lake: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Bennett attributed the design specifically to the influence of the Latona Basin in Louis XIV's gardens at Versailles.

The fountain operates from mid April to mid October, depending on weather. From 8:00AM to 11:00PM. In Winter it is covered with mini lights.

Every hour on the hour for 20 minutes the fountain produces a major water display and the center jet shoots 150 feet into the air,1.3 million gallons.

Beginning at dusk, every hour on the hour for 20 minutes the fountain's major water display is accompanied by a major light and music display. The final display of the evening begins at 10:00 p.m.
The fountain is constructed of Georgia pink marble.

No record of Kate Buckingham ever being married, she was known as a "generous spinster".

The fountain was on the opening credits of "Married with Children" foreign tourists often call it the "Bundy" fountain due to the association with this TV family.