By permission and courtesy of the Chicago Park District Special Collections.

These 1939 photographs from the Chicago Park District Special Collection shows workmen and their helpers flooding Lake Shore Park to make an ice rink.
The picture, above, shows a clear view of the original Chicago Avenue Armory facade. The armory's architecture would change with a 1940 addition.
Before Lake Shore Park was even called Lake Shore Playground, the open land served as a lakeside recreational destination.
Chicago Daily Tribune, September 28, 1891




May 2, 1902



June 10, 1907

Chicago Daily TribuneJuly 4, 1897
































May 1, 1935

 Chicago Daily Tribune, August 20, 1897

By permission and courtesy of the Chicago Park District Special Collections.

This photograph from the Chicago Park District Special Collection illustrated the Chicago Daily Tribune story about the marble contest held in Lake Shore Park.




In the late 1940s, as part of real estate developer Arthur Rubloff's plan to build Michigan Avenue north of the Chicago River into "The Magnificent Mile," a plan was put forward that would create 3,000 car underground parking spaces. Part of Rubloff's plan included razing the Pumping Station to extend St. Clair Street from Superior Street to Delaware Place.
Chicago Tribune, April 10, 1947
Chicago Tribune, April 14, 1950

According to this April 14, 1950 Chicago Tribune article, there were three proposed underground parking sites: "1) An area east of the Oak st.-Michigan intersection and between the inner and outer lanes of Lake Shore dr.; one level for 625 to 925 cars; 2) The Lake Shore playground bounded by Pearson st., Lake Shore dr., Chicago av., and the east end of the 122nd field artillery armory; two levels for 1,520 cars; and 3) The area bounded by Chicago, Pearson, Seneca st. and the east side of the Chicago av. pumping station; two levels for 639 cars."
 Chicago Tribune, October 8, 1950