Chicago: Grant Park / Eagle Fountains – by Frederick C. Hibbard

Eagle Fountains – by Frederick Cleveland Hibbard.

Installed: 1931

Location: Congress Plaza Gardens, Grant Park.
South Michigan Ave. (100 E) and E. Congress Pkwy. (500 S) .. Chicago, IL 60604.

On the north and south sides of the Congress Plaza are two circular fountains with bronze eagles. They eagles look ready to take flight with fish in their talons. Although the eagles look very realistic, their emphasis on verticality and stylized angular lines suggest the Art Deco style which characterized the fairgrounds.

North Side of Congress Plaza / Eagle Fountain – by Frederick C. Hibbard

South Side of Congress Plaza / Eagle Fountain – by Frederick C. Hibbard

Not Identical / Eagle Fountain – by Frederick C. Hibbard

The Eagles are Not Identical!!!!
Most apparent different, North side Eagle has it’s beak open while the south side has it closed!

In the comment section, Frederick C. [who is the sculptor’s grandson],
points out that the eagle on the north side is a Golden Eagle and on the south side is the Bald Eagle.

Frederick Cleveland Hibbard was a prominent sculptor of public works in Chicago. Born and raised in Canton, Missouri, Frederick Hibbard (1881- 1950) studied electrical engineering at several universities in Missouri and at the Armour Institute of Technology in Chicago. Soon after he began working as electrician, Hibbard decided that he wanted to become a sculptor. He enrolled at the School of the Art Institute, studying under the acclaimed artist, Lorado Taft and within a few years, he established his own sculpture studio in Chicago. Throughout his career, Hibbard produced over seventy works of permanent sculpture including two monuments to the Confederate president Jefferson Davis.