Chicago Parks - Pulaski Traditional Cache
k'wren: Opening up this lovely park for another hider.
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The West Park Commission created Pulaski Park in 1912, as part of an effort to expand neighborhood parks throughout the congested west side. Several years earlier, Dvorak, Eckhart and Stanford Parks opened, providing tenement districts with breathing spaces and social services including public bathing, branch libraries, children's playgrounds, athletics, and inexpensive hot meals. Sites were soon identified for new parks including a 3.8-acre parcel in West Town, a crowded, predominantly polish neighborhood of factories and workers' housing. To make way for the park, the West Park Commission displaced 1,200 people, demolished some buildings, and moved others to nearby locations in the neighborhood. After filling the low site, the commission began making improvements conceived by renowned landscape designer Jens Jensen.
A large field house and outdoor swimming facility were constructed in 1914. Incorporating elements such as tile roofs, half-timbering, a tower, dormers, and verandahs, architect William Carbys Zimmerman designed the three-story brick field house to emulate Eastern European architecture familiar to the immigrant community. The building's interior also includes lovely details. An impressive mural designed by James J. Gilbert and painted by his students from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1920 adorns the auditorium proscenium. A second mural, hidden in the upper tower room, portrays Polish themes. An arts and crafts class painted the work in the late 1930s.
The park pays tribute to Casimer Pulaski (c. 1748-1779) a Polish war hero who fought for the American cause in the Revolutionary War. After distinguishing himself in the Battle of Brandywine, Pulaski was appointed by Congress as Brigadier-General. Pulaski died in action at the Battle of Savannah.
Congratulations to Panther in the Den and Torus on the FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
gbc-frpbaq cvyyne
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