11132 S. St. Lawrence Ave.
Chicago, IL 60628
Hours
Park Hours
Description
Located in the Pullman Community Area, Arcade Park totals 1.25 acres and is a park location used for passive recreation. Park patrons can relax in this open green space while enjoying the beauty of nature and a garden-like setting.
History
Arcade Park is one of two parks donated to the town of Pullman by its founder, George M. Pullman (1831-1899). (The other is nearby Pullman Park.) The City of Chicago acquired Arcade Park in 1910. George Pullman vastly improved the comfort of long distance rail travel when he introduced the sleeping car that bears his name. In 1877, George Pullman began to purchase 3,500 acres on the western shore of Lake Calumet on which to build his new Pullman Palace Car Works. In 1880, he began construction of the enormous plant and surrounding company town. Pullman hired architect Solon S. Beman to design the town's buildings and Nathan F. Barrett to plan the landscape. The designers placed Arcade Park, with its formal "carpet bed" plantings, directly opposite the Arcade, an enormous iron and glass structure housing shops, a post office, a library, and a theater. Though its namesake park remains, the impressive building was demolished in 1926. The City transferred Arcade Park to the Park District in 1957 pursuant to the Chicago Park and City Exchange of Functions Act.