CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The Chicago Park District never activated the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago during the Covid issues of 2020. I visited Monday evening a week ago to capture the fountain against the skyline and for the Memorial Day remembrance.

Buckingham Fountain by Paul Sager, on Flickr


Buckingham Fountain is a Chicago landmark in the center of Grant Park. Dedicated in 1927, it is one of the largest fountains in the world.

Buckingham Fountain


The fountain was donated to the city by Kate Buckingham in memory of her brother, Clarence Buckingham, and was constructed at a cost of $750,000. The fountain's official name is the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain. Originally from Zanesville, Ohio, the Buckingham family made its fortune in grain elevators, real estate and steel. Kate (1858 – 1937) and her brother Clarence Buckingham (1854 – 1913) were both avid art collectors and benefactors who donated valuable prints, paintings, sculptures, and objects to the Art Institute of Chicago.

Buckingham Fountain


Every hour at the top of the hour for 20 minutes, the fountain goes into performance mode. Starting at dusk, the performance also includes lights and music. The larger water flow starts at 8am until the final 11pm performance.

Buckingham Fountain


This selection of images covers 3 hours at the fountain using an EOS 5DIII. The details of the exposure and lenses (mostly a 24-70 zoom) are available from the host Flickr pages, just use the URL links of the image titles to access. The RAW were processed in Adobe Lightroom v6 and Topaz DeNoise6.

Buckingham Fountain


Built in a Rocky rococo wedding cake style and inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles, it is meant to allegorically represent Lake Michigan. The fountain typically operates from April to October.

Buckingham Fountain

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

Nice work, and always interesting history/commentary. Thanks for sharing.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Good information and excellent shots. I really like the perspectives of #2 & last.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

richardsaccount

I really like the night shots. Colorful and dramatic. Nice work.

Stephan G

It has been over fourty years since I have seen the fountain (in person). But your presentation brought back many memories. Thank you.

One thing I recall was the numbers of kids who were being chased out and away from the fountain during the hot days of summer. With Oak Street beach being nearby, I never understood the desire to jump into a fountain with underwater electric lines (for the pumps and lights!) in it. I also recall reading about a short occurring in the fountain back then.

Again, thanks.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

I like the last image the most.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Stephan! There's a waist-high metal fence around the fountain nowadays. I'd have to look it up, but I remember a major renovation in the not too distant past.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Tomfl101, Elliott, Bill, richardsaccount, Stephan, Karin! The wind was sending the fountain far into the crowd Monday night of Memorial Day. Several times I was holding my hand over the lens to avoid a mist onto the lens when the wind changed toward my location. Glad you enjoyed.

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Nice captures Paul and love the history lesson 👍

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

Nice shots and narrative.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Pretty.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Fabulous set, Paul. Love the nighttime images.

MT native Loc: Big Sky Country — Montana

Beautiful series. The nighttime images are very nice.

lnl Loc: SWFL

You always do a great job both with your photos and descriptions. Please keep on sharing!!