Destination Spotlight

Buckingham Fountain Park

The Buckingham Fountain is known as Chicago’s front door and is one of the city’s most popular attractions. The massive fountain with incredible water works is one of the largest in the world. Kate Buckingham dedicated the structure to the people of Chicago in 1927 in memory of her late brother, Clarence.

The fountain is a popular photo stop. While in operation, 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. Beginning at dusk, the fountain’s water display is accompanied by a light and music display.

Did you know?

• The fountain, built by Marcel Loyau, is constructed of Georgia pink marble.
• The fountain contains 820 lights.
• Edward H. Bennett designed the Fountain to represent Lake Michigan – with four sea horses to symbolize the four states that touch the lake: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.