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synopsis

Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux created a plan for the subdivision of Riverside in Chicago, IL, in 1869 after E.E. Childs proposed “the formation of of a suburban village, with pleasure grounds and other places attached thereto, covering a space of sixteen hundred acres or thereabouts at a point on the Aux Plaines River, ten miles more or less, from the City of Chicago.”

Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux created a plan for the subdivision of Riverside in Chicago, IL, in 1869 after E.E. Childs proposed “the formation of of a suburban village, with pleasure grounds and other places attached thereto, covering a space of sixteen hundred acres or thereabouts at a point on the Aux Plaines River, ten miles more or less, from the City of Chicago.” [Articles of Agreement_1868_LOC-FLOP-GC-R25_im.11]. (plan 0607-z1-pt1] The subdivision consisted of about 1,500 homes and was styled with naturalistic plantings “to admit of our arranging bodies of trees in such a manner that a considerable degree of the beauty which the play of light and shade over the varied lines of large masses of foliage gives to the finest gardens and parks may also be obtained.” [O&V to E.E. Childs_1869_LOC-FLOP-GC-R25_im.31] The village of Riverside has remained largely intact and is a great lasting example of Olmsted’s early work and vision.

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