Midway Plaisance (Chicago, Illinois)

USA / Illinois / Chicago / Chicago, Illinois / Midway Plaisance

park, parkway, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places

The Midway Plaisance connects Washington Park with Jackson Park. It was constructed during the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, and "Midways" at amusement parks and fairs across the United States are named after it to this day. The grounds of the fair were designed by Olmsted. During the Exposition, it was the site of the more low-brow attractions, including belly-dancers, food kiosks, and the world's first Ferris wheel. This White City--with its ubiquitous use of street lights illuminating white buildings--was a turning point in creating an idealized American cityscape. It is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Midway-Plaisance-Park...
books.google.com/books?id=I-xEDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA112&dq=%22...
www.flickr.com/photos/olmsted_archives/albums/721576460...
www.flickr.com/photos/olmsted_archives/albums/721576503...
digital-libraries.artic.edu/digital/collection/mqc/id/2...

Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midway_Plaisance

Nearby cities:

Coordinates: 41°47'12"N 87°35'46"W