Stanton (Edwin) Park

Named for Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869) Secretary of War under President Abraham Lincoln, Stanton Park opened to the public in 1910. Since its 1869 creation, the Lincoln Park Commission's primary responsibility was to improve and manage Lincoln Park and its connecting boulevards. By the turn of the century, however, administrators were concerned about living conditions in congested neighborhoods within their jurisdiction. In an effort to create new playground parks, the commission put forth a successful bond issue in 1907. This allowed the acquisition of land for Stanton and Seward Parks and improvements to Lake Shore Playground, which was already part of the Lincoln Park System. In 1962, the Chicago Park District entered into an agreement with the Board of Education to operate Stanton Park jointly with the adjacent Friederich von Schiller Elemetary School. Two years later, the original Stanton Park fieldhouse was demolished and replaced with a natatorium and swimming facility. The construction of a gymnasium addition in 1971 allowed for additional recreational programming.