Historical Highlights of May 26 in Chicago

May 26, 1855: The Appointment of Cyrus Bradley as Chief of Police

On this day in 1855, Cyrus Bradley was appointed as Chicago’s chief of police. He held this role until he passed away in 1865. Bradley is remembered for introducing the department’s motto: “At danger’s call, we’ll promptly fly; and bravely do or bravely die.”

May 26 Weather Records

Weather records from the National Weather Service in Chicago provide insights into historical conditions for this day:

• High temperature was recorded at 94 degrees in 1911.
• Low temperature was documented at 34 degrees in 1983.
• Precipitation reached 1.78 inches in 1913.
• A trace of snowfall occurred in 1907.

1927: Opening of the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain

In 1927, one of the largest fountains globally, the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, was opened. The official dedication happened three months later. Architect Edward Bennet, known for designing Wacker Drive and the Michigan Avenue Bridge, conceived this landmark. The fountain features four seahorses designed by French artist Marcel Loyau, symbolizing the four states bordering Lake Michigan.

Kate Buckingham donated the fountain to the city to honor her brother, Clarence. She set up a trust fund of $300,000 managed by the Art Institute of Chicago to cover its maintenance costs, which proved useful during its 1994 $2.8 million restoration. The fountain’s basin, made of pink marble from Georgia, was inspired by the Latona Basin at Louis XIV’s gardens of Versailles in France.

Inside, 134 jets powered by three pumps expel over 14,000 gallons of water per minute. Initially, the fountain’s operational controls were in Atlanta, but they were relocated to a nearby pump house during the 1994 renovation.

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Have stories or ideas related to Chicago’s vintage history? Reach out to Kori Rumore at [email protected] and Marianne Mather at [email protected].