Washington Park Showing Lagoon and Carillon, Springfield, Illinois
Image by myoldpostcards
Washington Park is a 150 acre park located on the west side of Springfield, the capital city of Illinois. Constructed in 1901, this historic park was developed as the terminus of the urban trolley line in use at the time.
Washington Park was designed by Ossian Simonds (1855-1831), noted for his naturalistic style of landscape design. Simmonds other notable projects include the Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois; Frick Park in Pittsburgh; and Palmer Park and Subdivision in Detroit. In 1903 Simonds formed Simonds and Company and was awarded the redesign and extension of Chicago’s Lincoln Park with Bryan Lathrop and Francis T. Simmons.
Seen peeking above the trees is the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon. The brutalist tower stands 132 feet and is constructed from concrete, brick and steel. It was dedicated in 1962 and designed by Bill Turley. Each year the carillon hosts the International Carillon Festival which features world-renowned carillonneurs.
