Location:
1300 W. Fargo Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626
Supervisor:
Kristen Rezny (Loyola Park)
Phone Numbers:
Main
(773) 262-8605
Hours
Park Hours
Description
Whether you are looking to relax on the sandy beach soaking in some rays or getting active our beaches are a great summer destination right in the middle of a bustling Chicago. Fargo Beach Park is 0.62 acres.
History
The Chicago Park District acquired Fargo Beach Park in 1974. Beaches were operated on the northside for many years, in 1921 the City's Bureau of Parks and Recreation had been operating small municipal beaches. Many of these beaches were located in the Rogers Park neighborhood, where a growing population of apartment dwellers lacked easy access to recreational opportunities.
Fargo Street and its namesake beach are named for James C. Fargo (1829--), an active north side real estate developer. Born in Watervale, New York, Fargo at 15 entered the business office of his brother, William G. Fargo, who ran an express-mail delivery service between Buffalo and Albany, New York, and another between Buffalo and Detroit, Michigan. James Fargo moved west to run the Wells & Co. office in Detroit in 1847. In 1855, Fargo came to the Chicago office of the reorganized firm, by then called the American Express Company. (In the meantime, William Fargo and his partner, Henry Wells, founded Wells, Fargo & Company to handle the banking and express needs of California Gold Rush entrepreneurs.) In 1867, Fargo returned to New York to become the general manager of American Express, but he never relinquished his Chicago ties.
Advisory Council
Contact:
Greater Eastlake Terrace PAC
Email:
GETBeachesPAC@gmail.com
Meeting Details:
5/20 and 10/21 @10:30am
