The World’s Fair Bison of Humboldt Park

World's Fair Bison in Humboldt Park

I‘ve always enjoyed living near Humboldt Park on Chicago’s West Side, but I reached a new level of appreciation during the past year of COVID-19 quarantine life. I’ve utilized its nearly 200 acres for jogs, socially distant hangs, and mental health walks.

Throughout it all, this pair of bronze bison sculptures have been my constant companions. They even wore face masks made out of towels and string at the start of the pandemic! I heard that they were produced for the 1893 World’s Fair, but it turns out that their story isn’t so straightforward.

Bison sculpture at the 1893 World's Fair
Supersized bison sculptures at the World’s Columbian Exposition | Source: Vamonde

World’s Fair Roots

The original pair of bison sculptures were indeed created for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. Like the buildings at the fair, the sculptures were meant to be temporary so artist Edward Kemeys produced them in a plaster and plant fiber material called staff. The massive pair of bison stood in front of the Stock Exhibit at the World’s Fair.

World's Fair bison sculpture at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893
Bison sculpture by Edward Kemeys at the 1893 World’s Fair | Source: Chicago Gallery News

North American animals were a popular artistic subject at the fair. Attendees walked among enormous depictions of bison, bears, moose, elk, and mountain lions. Kemeys and Alexander Phimister Proctor specialized in wildlife sculptures depicting wild animals as they behaved in nature because they spent time out West observing animals. Kemeys also sculpted the famous pair of lions that perch in front of the Art Institute today.

Edward and Laura Kemeys sculpting
Edward and Laura Kemeys at work | Source: Chicago Gallery News

West Park Exhibits

In 1908 and 1909, landscape architect and General Superintendent of the West Park System Jens Jensen held outdoor art exhibits in Garfield and Humboldt Parks. He thought that war hero monuments were inappropriate in a naturalistic park and explored types and placement of art more suited to the landscape.

Bulls with Maidens sculptures in Humboldt Park c. 1910
Bulls with Maidens maquettes in Humboldt Park c. 1910 | Source: Chicago Park District

Since he had a small budget, Jensen borrowed small plaster models, or maquettes, of sculptures that were exhibited at the Columbian Exposition and pieces from the Art Institute. Jensen originally placed the bison pair in Garfield Park at the entrance to the formal garden facing S. Hamlin Boulevard. He installed a pair of Bulls with Maidens sculptures by Daniel Chester French and Edward C. Potter in Humboldt Park.

Bull with Maiden sculptures in Humboldt Park
Bulls with Maidens where the bison stand today | Source: Vamonde

Unexplained Swap

In 1911, the West Park Commissioners decided to recast both pairs of the bison and bull sculptures in bronze. Jules Bercham, who recast the Art Institute lions in bronze, recast these small versions of the World’s Fair bison and bulls.

Bulls with Maidens sculptures when they were in Humboldt Park
A different set of sculptures called Humboldt Park home | Source: Chicago Parks Foundation

The upgraded bronze bison returned to Garfield Park. A few years later in 1915, the locations of the bulls and bison sculptures were switched. The bison moved from Garfield Park to their current home in Humboldt Park. Meanwhile, Jensen installed the Bulls with Maidens sculptures at the entrance of the Garfield Park garden. Why the switch? There is no surviving documentation to explain it.

Female bison sculpture Humboldt Park from World's Fair
A bison for all seasons

Prairie Royalty

When the bison were moved to their current home at the entrance of Humboldt Park’s formal garden, Jensen consciously faced them inward with their backs to the street for visitors to admire from inside the garden. The formal garden opened in 1908 offering a natural getaway from the bustle of city life.

Humboldt Park World's Fair bison sculpture wearing mask COVID-19
Even bison mask up during a pandemic

The bison appear quite similar, but they have distinct features. The male bison, called “Prairie King,” gazes ahead. The female bison, named “Sound of the Whoop,” is grazing or listening with her head lowered. Although the large sculptures are life-size, it’s hard to imagine that the versions exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition were much bigger! They are joined by Prairie Style lanterns that match those at the nearby boathouse.

World's Fair Bison in Humboldt Park
“Sound of the Whoop” by Edward Kemeys and Prairie Style lanterns

The Bulls with Maidens haven’t fared as well. In the early 1980s, vandals damaged one sculpture and stole the other. The damaged sculpture was repaired and the missing one was recreated in 2002. They now reside just west of the Garfield Park Conservatory. While the missing sculpture was recovered in Virginia in 2010, it’s currently in storage awaiting funding to be restored.  

Humboldt Park bison sculpture Chicago
“Prairie King” by Edward Kemeys

Visit Humboldt Park

The World’s Fair Bison stand at the east entrance to the formal garden, west of N. Humboldt Drive and north of W. Division Street. Humboldt Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Bison wearing a covid-19 mask in Chicago's Humboldt Park

Want to discover other hidden gems in Chicago? Check out my books Secret Chicago: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure and Chicago Scavenger!

Humboldt Park Formal Garden
Humboldt Dr. and W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622

Sources

Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of 'Secret Chicago' and 'Chicago Scavenger.' Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.