Buckingham Fountain sends a massive stream of water into the air during one of its shows.
Buckingham Fountain is a Chicago landmark located at Columbus Drive and Congress Parkway in Grant Park. The fountain, which was designed by Edward H. Bennett with sculptures by Jacques Lambert and modeled after Latona Fountain at Versailles, was donated to the city by Kate Buckingham in memory of her brother, Clarence Buckingham. She also established the Buckingham Fountain Endowment Fund with an initial investment of $300,000 to pay for maintenance on the fountain.[1] Buckingham Fountain was dedicated on August 26, 1927. The fountain runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day from mid-April to mid-October, depending on the weather. During a water display that runs for 20 minutes every hour on the hour, the center jet shoots up to 150 feet in the air. At dusk, a light and music show coincides with the water display. The last show of the night begins at 10:00 p.m.[2]
The fountain contains 1.5 million gallons (5.7 million litres) of water. During a display, more than 14,000 gallons per minute (880 l/s) are pushed through its 133 jets.
Buckingham Fountain is scheduled to receive extensive renovations beginning after Labor Day. This restoration project will be done in preparation of the International Olympic Committee's visit in spring 2009. A rehaul of the plumbing and the replacement of the leaky outer basin is expected to create better water pressure for the fountain's show, with hopes of surpassing the current jet of 150 feet. There are also plans to improve the lighting, treat the bronze statues as well as landscaping expansion. [3]
Trivia
Buckingham Fountain panorama
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