Wonder what Olmsted would think now. The Columbia Basin in Jackson Park thrives today. It is a vibrant natural area south of the Museum of Science and Industry.
This ten-acre site boasts diverse habitats. Aquatic wetlands and prairie edges meet here. You can see ornamental cherry trees bloom each spring. They surround the lagoon creating a beautiful spectacle.
Walk along flagstone outcroppings. Enjoy scenic views from the museum’s overlook. You might spot wood ducks or purple martins. Great blue herons also frequent the area.
Cardinal flowers and swamp rose mallow add color. White water lilies blanket the pond. They flower abundantly in summer. The Columbia Basin is a haven for flora and fauna.
Volunteers play a vital role here. They collect native seeds and plant native species. They remove invasive plants and pick up trash. Their hard work helps maintain the basin’s beauty.
The Columbia Basin has a rich history. It is a remnant of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design. It was part of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The basin connected Lake Michigan to the Court of Honor. Waterways flowed through Wooded Island lagoons. They led to the Palace of Fine Arts.
Today the basin still connects to Wooded Island lagoons. This connection lies under the Clarence Darrow Bridge to the south.
In the late 1800s much of Jackson Park was under Lake Michigan. One cove formed part of what would become North Pond and then the Columbia Basin. Olmsted reshaped the park. He brought in fill to contain the lake.
Native Americans and early Chicagoans did not use the area much. It was swampy with long sand hills. Olmsted scraped and covered the site with manure and soil. This prepared it for the Columbian Exposition.
For the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage a fair was proposed. Chicago formed a committee. Leaders included Marshall Field and Potter Palmer. They needed to show Chicago was big and worthy.
The committee annexed much of the South Side including the park to Chicago. From 1889 to 1894 efforts focused on the fair. Permanent park development was set aside.
The Columbian Exposition took place in 1893. It boosted the development of Hyde Park. It also helped the whole South Side.
Today, the area surrounding the Columbia Basin has about 190 pink and white cherry blossom trees. They typically bloom each spring. The peak bloom is in late April or early May. The bloom lasts 6 to 14 days. It depends on the weather.
Hanami is a Japanese custom. It means cherry blossom viewing. Families celebrate and enjoy company among the blossoms.
In 2013 the first batch of trees were planted. This commemorated the 120th anniversary of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago added more trees.
In 2022, the Park District planted 34 more cherry blossom trees. They border the Museum of Science and Industry steps. In 2024, 2025, and 2026 the organization will help fund the planting of 20 trees each year. This will add 60 more cherry blossom trees.
The Columbia Basin is a place of beauty and history. It offers scenic views and diverse wildlife. It connects us to Chicago’s past and present. Take a stroll around the Columbia Basin. Reflect on its past and appreciate its present beauty.