We asked readers what their favorite monument is in Chicago. Here’s what you told us, lightly edited for clarity:
“Haymarket Monument at Randolph and Desplaines streets. It honors the over-50-year struggle to establish the eight-hour day and free speech.”
— Mike Matejka, Normal
“Statue of the Republic in Jackson Park.”
— Dave Pietruszka
“The statue of Alexander Hamilton. It’s not an iconic Chicago monument, but I love how random it is. He’s just down the way a bit from Jefferson, and close to Goethe. I also appreciate the backstory of him being there. It’s so American. I think he’d be pleased. Illinois was barely thought of when Hamilton was killed, but Chicago is very Hamiltonian.”
— Eleanor Shanklin
“The two statues of Native Americans on horses near the east end of I-290. The Bowman and The Spearman (known as the Equestrian Indians). They stand in Congress Plaza at Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive, marking the grand entrance to Grant Park.”
— Antonio Cruz
“My favorite monument is the Cook County building at 118 N. Clark St. It is there that President John H. Stroger championed the building of the new Cook County Hospital, a hospital that would serve all those in need of medical attention.”
— Terrence Camodeca
“The lions guarding the Art Institute of Chicago and the Statue of the Republic in Jackson Park. Honorable mention for Buckingham Fountain.”
— Vincenzo Bruno