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Bohn (Henry) Park

Address


1966 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60643

Jurisdiction

Chicago Parks

Description

Located in the Morgan Park Community Area, Bohn Park is a 1.63 acre park location used for passive recreation. Park patrons can relax in this open green space while enjoying the beauty of nature.

History

Bohn Park is a small triangle of land bordering the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific rail line and depot in Chicago's Morgan Park Community Area. Set aside as parkland by real estate developers just after the Civil War, the site was initially known as Depot Park, and sometimes also called "The Common." In 1905, the Village of Morgan Park passed an ordinance transferring control of Depot Park to the Calumet Park District, ownership was not transferred, and remained with the Village of Morgan Park. In 1914, upon the annexation of the Village of Morgan Park to the City of Chicago the City became the owner of the park. 

Calumet Park District retained noted landscape architect, Jens Jensen to design a plan for the park. At the time, Jensen was superintendent to the West Park Commission and ran a thriving private practice as well. In 1933, the Calumet Park District designated the site Henry J. Bohn Memorial Park. Henry Bohn, was a publisher was the Calumet Park District's first president, serving from 1903 through 1908. The Chicago Park District took control of Bohn Park in 1934, when the 22 park districts were consolidated into a unified district, the Chicago Park District. In 1957, ownership of the property was transferred to the Chicago Park District from the City of Chicago pursuant to the Chicago Park and City Exchange of Functions Act.