We all know who Lincoln Park is named for. And Grant Park. And Madison Street. And Daley Plaza. But here are some Chicago streets, parks, landmarks and institutions named after lesser-known politicians.
Altgeld Gardens: John Peter Altgeld, governor of Illinois from 1893 to 1897.
Cermak Avenue: Anton Cermak, Chicago mayor who died as a result of a 1933 assassination attempt on President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Colfax Avenue: Schuyler Colfax, vice president under Ulysses S. Grant. (Colfax was also the Speaker of House portrayed in the movie "Lincoln.")
Dan Ryan Expressway: Dan Ryan Jr., president of the Cook County Board from 1954 to 1961.
Douglas Boulevard, Park and neighborhood: Sen. Stephen Douglas, who owned a farm and is buried there, under a 70-foot tall monument.
Fuller Park: Named after Melville Fuller, a Chicagoan who served as Chief Justice of the United States from 1888 to 1910.
Local
Gompers Park: Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor.
Lozano Public Library: Rudy Lozano, the first serious Mexican-American candidate for alderman.
Thurgood Marshall Public Library: The first African-American Supreme Court Justice, who served from 1967 to 1990.
Merlo Public Library: Alderman and state senator John Merlo.
McKinley Park: President William McKinley after his assassination.
Ogden Avenue: William Ogden, first mayor of Chicago.
Osterman Beach: Kathy Osterman, alderman of the 44th Ward from 1987 to 1989.
Welles Park: Gideon Welles, secretary of the Navy under Abraham Lincoln.
Wentworth Park: “Long John” Wentworth, mayor of Chicago in the 1850s and 1860s.
