Get ready for some history!
BEN: If you read about our visit to Harold Washington Library, you’ll recall learning that the Chicago Public Library’s initial collection consisted of about 8,000 books donated by British citizens in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire. (You’ll also remember that I took a potshot at British food in that post, and after a gentle rebuke from a dear friend, I must point readers to the excellent Pleasant House Pub in nearby Pilsen, an outstanding example of fare from across the pond.)
Anyway, once the CPL built a central library building in 1897 to house its growing collection, library leadership turned its attention to establishing permanent branch buildings in neighborhoods further from downtown, a need that had been met thus far with rented space. Enter Timothy Blackstone, railroad and Union Stock Yards president, and his bequeathment of land and funds for this very purpose. In 1902, two years after Blackstone’s death, construction began on Chicago’s first permanent library branch facility in Kenwood, just north of Hyde Park. The branch opened in 1904.
This is an absolutely gorgeous building, designed by local architect Solon Spencer Beman, who also designed the Pullman community just a few miles away (now a National Park) as well as the famed Fine Arts Building on Michigan Ave (the last place in the city where you can ride a manually-operated mechanical elevator…at least for now). Bronze and mahogany are everywhere, along with a gorgeous rotunda, murals, mosaic tile on the ground floor, and a glass-floored mezzanine. Everything is immaculately maintained and restored, having received multiple renovations as recently as 2004.
There seems to be a friendly dispute over neighborhood boundaries at play here. While Blackstone sits squarely in Kenwood, both in the City’s official community boundaries and the unofficial neighborhood map we’re using, the librarian we spoke with identified the location as in Hyde Park. I find it fascinating that Hyde Park lacks its own dedicated library branch, given its storied and wealthy history!
On another neighborhood note, Blackstone also serves the Oakland neighborhood to the east – who knew Chicago had an Oakland!? I sure didn’t. Perhaps, because it’s the smallest of the 77 official community areas and seems to be almost totally residential. It is home, however, to Oakwood Beach and its infamous mermaid.
Food and… water!
SAM: One of the recommendations from the children’s librarian was Morry’s Deli. This project has not only opened our eyes to different Chicago neighborhoods, but the side effects also include expanding Daniel’s palate to different foods. I am happy to announce that Daniel likes fried fish now 🙂 We ordered a cheeseburger, a fish filet burger and a blueberry muffin for all of us to share.
After a scrumptious little snack, we headed to Promontory Point, two minutes away, for a short walk. Here is a side note from Nathan (since water is involved here):
NATHAN: I am sorry to say but the water was high. On the trail, people were getting splashed 😛I felt miserable and excited at the same time. But I don’t think the water will be up, I think it was just today.
SAM: For some reason, the splashing waves were very powerful and left me in awe. If I weren’t getting cold, I would stand there longer to just bask in their majesty.
What about transit?
DANIEL: The Blackstone Branch is a wonderful library, and so is the transit. Access the library using CTA Bus Routes #2, #6, and #28. Also, if you walk 0.3 miles to 47th Street Station, you can access CTA Bus Route #47, which can bring you to the CTA Red Line and Green Line.
If you have put two and two together, you will notice two things: 1), I have not mentioned Metra yet, and 2), it’s 47th Street Station. Yes, 47th Street Station is a Metra Electric Station.
Okay, Blackstone Branch, you’ve done well! 5/5!
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