The Native Landscape Reader

Report of the Landscape Architect (1904)

250 From Report of the Special Park Commission to the City Council of Chicago on the Subject of a Metropolitan Park System, by Dwight H. Perkins (Chicago: W. J. Hartman Co., 1904), 80–101. JeNs JeNseN Report of the landscape architect (1904) The movement for the acquisition of large forest park areas within Cook County is in embryo. This fact is evidenced by the absence of surveys defining the existing forest areas. The study of the vegetation indigenous to the forest tracts of this county, which furnishes the basis for this part of the report, has been extensive and has covered a period of more than fifteen years. It has been made partly in the interest of botanical science and largely for the purpose of obtaining an intimate acquaintance with the distribution of the flora in this and adjoining counties. One of the purposes for which forest parks should be acquired is to preserve for present and future generations lands of natural scenic beauty situated within easy reach of multitudes that have access to no other grounds for recreation or summer outings. A second purpose is to preserve spots having relation to the early settlements of Chicago and which are therefore of historical significance, and still another is to preserve the flora in its primeval state for the sake of the beauty of the forest and for the benefit of those desiring knowledge of plants indigenous there. The most conspicuous physiographic features in Chicago and its vicinity are the Lake Plain, the Valparaiso and the Lake Border Moraine. Generally speaking, this region is a great plain, above which rise a few elevations varying from sand ridges to bluffs. Examples are found in Lincoln Park, the ancient lake beaches and in the bluff to the north and southwest known to geologists as moraines. On the north shore these bluffs reach a height from 100 to 125 feet, at Blue Island from 60 to 90 feet and at Mt. Forest and Palos from 170 to 185 feet above Lake Michigan. REPoRt of thE landsCaPE aRChitECt 251 GEoloGiCal foRmations in and aRound ChiCaGo Chicago is situated on the lake plain, commonly called prairie. This plain, which during the latter part of the ice-period was covered with water—Lake Chicago—consists of glacial drift, the average depth of which is from 75 to 125 feet under the central part of the city. The depth increases or diminishes in accordance with the levels of the underlying limestone rock. This rock rises gradually toward the south and is plainly visible along the Drainage Canal. It also rises to the surface in several places within the city limits and is quarried for lime and for macadam. It is known as Niagara limestone and constitutes the solid foundation upon which Chicago rests. The glacial drift is a soft blue till, beneath which are remnants of a hard till of an earlier age. Goth tills are filled with boulders of all sizes, representing the pre-cambrian , upper silurian and devonian rocks. Towards the lake the drift has been covered later with sand, varying in depth from 5 to 20 feet, which has blown into ridges. The predominating character of the landscape around Chicago is that of the prairie. By prairie is understood a treeless plain of fertile grass lands. Variation from this general level is almost wholly found in elevations formed by glacial drift (moraine) and shore deposits of prehistoric lakes. Erosions formed by great volumes of running water and the action of waves have left their visible marks and in places have formed abrupt banks similar to those cut by rivers. They have an interesting, and for our topography, a bold and beautiful effect. It is these bluffs and elevations that command far-reaching and beautiful prospects. In themselves they form a pleasing feature in the landscape and may be seen from distant points. Natural drainage, uneven surface favorable for catching seeds carried by wind or weather, and comparative immunity from vast prairie fires, favored tree growth on these uneven lands. The greater part of these lands were not as well adapted for agriculture nor as readily cultivated as were the prairies. They consequently were left untouched to a considerable degree by the early settler. With the growth and prosperity of Chicago some wooded tracts became the property of wealthy land owners and were thereby shielded from the invading ax. We therefore find here whatever is left of forest lands in the vicinity of Chicago. It is...