Around the South Loop: Volume 13

Seasons Change
When the seasons change, many of us have certain touchstones that remind us we’re entering the warmer months. For me, the French Open tennis tournament is my unofficial beginning of summer. Around the South Loop, the "unwrapping" of the fountain at Trevi Square on S. Michigan is another. This morning I noticed  bubbling water was flowing out of it. A beautiful sight; I always try to walk by Trevi Square during the summer just to gaze at the fountain and the beautiful courtyard.

The fountain at Trevi Square on S. Michigan Ave.

What signs or touchstones do you have that say summer is upon us?

"South Loop pics"

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Buckingham Fountain in the Morning

Buckingham Fountain is one of Chicago's treasures. Thousands of tourists from all over the world visit it every year. During the spring and summer, it's not uncommon to see prom and bridal parties getting their pictures taken in front of the famous landmark.

Popular City Landmark
The fountain, known officially as the "Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain," is a popular Chicago attraction, rivaling other windy city landmarks like the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and the John Hancock Center. 

Fountain History Started in the South Loop
The fountain was commissioned in 1927 by Kate Buckingham to honor her late brother Clarence who died in the First World War. Buckingham thought the fountains in Europe were beautiful and wanted to install one in Chicago, her hometown.  Buckingham grew up at 2036 S. Prairie Ave., during the late nineteenth century, when S. Prairie Ave. was Chicago's original gold coast. Her father, Ebenezer Buckingham, had one of the finest art collections in that storied neighborhood.

It's hard to beat this view.

Trailers for Transformers 3?

During my walk this morning, I noticed about six movie trailers parked along Columbus Ave. near Grant Park. As I walked north up Columbus, I noticed a film crew at Buckingham Fountain. Part of the area was blocked off and some members of the film crew were asking pedestrians to back off. A member of the production staff insisted that they weren't the Transformers 3 crew and had no idea where they (the Transformers 3 crew) were filming.

One of the movie trailers along Columbus Ave. this morning.

One of the movie trailers parked along Columbus contained dressing rooms with stars on the doors. If not Transformers 3, then what movie were they filming at Buckingham Fountain? The Chicago Film Office Web site lists two films currently in production: Transformers 3 and an untitled Ron Howard film starring Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Winona Ryder, and Jennifer Connelly.

Movie crew setting up by Buckingham Fountain

 

 

 

Signs of spring?

The fountains of Chicago

One of the signs of spring in Chicago is when all the beautiful fountains are uncovered and up-and-running. But here in the South Loop, the uncovering of the fountain at Trevi Square, 1439 S. Michigan, is a sign that spring has arrived. Alas, the Trevi Square Fountain is still covered.

Oh, and that other fountain in the South Loop isn't up-and-running yet either.