HeritagePhoto Wikimedia CommonsCentennial Fountain And Water Arc
Illinois · United States
Dedicated in 1989 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, known for reversing the flow of the Chicago River in 1900. For the first five minutes of every hour, the fountain shoots a water arc across the river from a tiered waterfall.
Contents
9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Centennial Fountain And Water Arc
Welcome to the Chicago Riverfront, a dynamic urban corridor where the relentless energy of the third largest city in the United States meets the transformative power of water. I am delighted to be your guide today as we explore a…
Listen in the app2The North Bank Riverwalk Approach
We begin our detailed exploration along the vibrant Chicago Riverwalk, a meticulously designed pedestrian walkway that runs along the south and north banks of the Chicago River. As you walk along this paved path toward…
Listen in the app3The Centennial Plaza Architecture
We have now arrived at the main plaza of the Centennial Fountain, an expansive gathering place that anchors the Streeterville riverfront. Take a moment to absorb the spatial geometry of this area. …
Listen in the app4The Commemorative Basin and River Reversal
We are now standing directly beside the primary basin of the Centennial Fountain. Look down into the massive, stepped concrete structure that typically acts as the receiving pool for the dramatic water display. …
Listen in the app5The Mechanics of the Water Cannon
Direct your gaze across the span of the Chicago River to the opposite bank. There, you will spot the angular, metallic structure of the water cannon itself. …
Listen in the app6The River Surface and the Kayak Domain
Let us draw our attention away from the concrete and machinery, and look directly down at the surface of the Chicago River flowing steadily below us. The river here is a hive of constant, kinetic activity. …
Listen in the app7Civic Fountain Heritage Plaques
We will now step slightly north of the main plaza to examine the broader context of municipal art in the city. The Centennial Fountain does not exist in a vacuum. …
Listen in the app8Lake Michigan Vantage Point
For our final detailed observation, please move to the easternmost edge of the plaza area, directing your gaze outward toward the horizon. Here, the narrow, highly controlled channel of the Chicago River abruptly yields to the…
Listen in the app9Closing
We have now completed our comprehensive scholarly exploration of the Centennial Fountain and Water Arc complex. As we stand once again in the center of the main plaza, I invite you to reflect upon the multitude of narratives we…
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What is Centennial Fountain And Water Arc?
Centennial Fountain And Water Arc is a place in Illinois · United States with 9 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Illinois · United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 9 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 41.8920, -87.6177 |
| Last updated |
Nearby places
within a 5-minute walk
Chicago RiverwalkHeritage9 sections