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Centennial Fountain And Water ArcHeritagePhoto Wikimedia Commons

Centennial Fountain And Water Arc

Illinois · United States

9 story sections

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.

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Centennial 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…

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  2. 2The 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…

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  3. 3The 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. …

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  4. 4The 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. …

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  5. 5The 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. …

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  6. 6The 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. …

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  7. 7Civic 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. …

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  8. 8Lake 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…

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  9. 9Closing

    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.

Key facts
LocationIllinois · United States
TypeHeritage
Story sections9
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates41.8920, -87.6177
Last updated

Nearby places

within a 5-minute walk
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