Chicagology is a pictorial walkthrough of Chicago history with a focus on the period prior to 1900.
Above is a photo that was supplied by Donald Asher. Performing a new scan at a much higher resoulution, Don was able to identify the words “AVTVMN FESTIVAL” across the arch. Coincidentally, on October 4-11, 1899, there was a Chicago Autumn Festival.
Cheers!
Terry Gregory
Chicagologist
According to an article on the Autumn Festival by the Chicago Tribune of October 8, 1899, the triumphal arch stood on State street at Van Buren street. It contained figures modeled by Lorado Taft and Charles Mulligan, with assistance by four women sculptors from the Art Institute.
The festival was supposed to become an annual event in Chicago (maybe copying Bavaria’s Oktobertfest), but various groups could not agree on a site. There were also several stadium designs thrown about, including one by Dankmar Adler. None of these stadiums was ever built and the Autumn Festival occurred only once.
I have a similar photo and I was trying to figure out where & when it was taken. Thanks!