Neighborhood News: A century of entertainment, environment, and community at the Museum Campus’ Northerly Island
Primarily known today for its entertainment venue, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Northerly Island Park, 1300-1521 S. Linn White Drive, has transformed into 119.7-acres of outdoor sculptures, lakefront environmental efforts, and play spaces for children and families.
Daniel Burnham’s Vision
According to the Chicago Park District’s website, Chicago’s famous architect and planner Daniel Burnham imagined Northerly Island as one in a series of lagoons, harbors, beaches, playfields, and a scenic drive, published in his renowned 1909 Plan of Chicago. Disputes over property rights and funding constraints hindered development, and his plans for Northerly Island and Burnham Park were never fully realized until the 21st Century.
Although the South Park Commission began landfill operations for Northerly Island in 1920, progress was slow. Dredging and construction of the space was completed in 1925. With preparations for the Century of Progress (1933) underway, Max Adler built the Western Hemisphere’s first planetarium as a gift to Chicago. By 1933, the planetarium sat within a gleaming campus of Art Deco buildings. In addition to numerous exhibits highlighting the fair’s science and technology theme, attractions included the towering “Sky Ride” and the infamous fan dancerSally Rand. After the Century of Progress closed in 1934, a committee suggested retaining fair attractions and adding a casino and playgrounds to Northerly Island. In 1934, the 22 park districts were consolidated. Soon, the newly‑consolidated Chicago Park District began holding festivals such as Carnival of the Lakes on Northerly Island. To accommodate large crowds, the 1938 Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a causeway connecting the island with the mainland.
How Northerly Island Got Its Name
During the 1930s, because of its location, the park was referred to as ‘Northerly Island’ and that name has continued to the present. According to theChicago Architecture Foundation’s website, the Great Depression and World War Ii stalled any further development until 1945, when the narrower southern tip of the peninsula was widened to better accommodate a runway. Meigs Field opened in 1948. An air-traffic control tower was built in 1952, and a modern terminal building opened in 1961. Meigs Field, named to honor a prominent local aviation booster, went on to serve both small airlines and general (private) aviation for decades.
The Birth of Modern Northerly Island
As the Architecture Foundation’s website tells it, the airport’s lease was up in 1996. A series of political compromises kept Meigs Field open for several more years. But one spring night in 2003, Mayor Richard M. Daley ordered the runway destroyed—citing the security threat posed by a downtown airport. Bulldozers gouged giant Xs in the pavement that forced the airport to close and caused reroutes of several in-progress flights. Mayor Daley would claim it was the only way to end the political stalemate.
Northerly Island Music Pavilion opened in 2007. The elegant modernist airport terminal was pressed into service as a park field house.
The Lakefront Natural Area features prairie and savanna, a 5-acre pond, and strolling paths that offer great views for observing birds and other native wildlife. The path runs along the western side of the peninsula, terminating at the southern end. There are over 150 different varieties of native plants and an emerging savanna with 20,000 trees and shrubs, all of which provide an ecosystem for migratory and local birds.
Northerly Island Nature Play Space
Located at 1559 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, this is the place for “spontaneous, hands-on, fun-filled, imaginative play.” The Chicago Park District encourages muddy sneakers! Families can climb Mulch Mountain, build a fort, explore the play prairie, and dig for worms in the honeycomb bins.
Sculpture Gardens
Sculptures by renowned artists decorate the Museum Campus’ path. Adjacent to the Adler Planetarium, ‘Man Enters the Cosmos’ honors the golden years of astronomy, from 1930 to 1980. Located near two other astronomy-related artworks, the Nicolaus Copernicus Monument and Spiral Galaxy, the abstract sculpture is a thirteen-foot-tall equatorial sundial, designed by artist Henry Moore.
Today, Daniel Burnham’s vision is now a reality. With wild prairie grasses taking root, beautiful strolling paths, casual play areas, and a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline, enjoy the emerging world of Northerly Island. They are host to numerous environmental programs throughout the year. For more information, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
