74 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
THE BIGGEST PARK CONSERVATORY IN AMERICA 
The new conservatory in Garfield Park, 
Chicago, probably the largest of its kind 
in this country, is interestingly described 
in the last report of the West Park Com- 
missioners. This report, just recently is- 
sued, is among the handsomest and most 
carefully compiled park books ever issued 
in this country and contains a mine of 
valuable data about the West Park system, 
beautifully illustrated and interestingly pre- 
sented. It is a book of immense value to 
may be found over one hundred varieties 
of evergreens. In the Economic House 
are the lemon, fig, orange, bay trees, pome- 
granate, olive, pineapple, papaw, banana, 
coffee, mango, vanilla, hemp and many 
others. Exhibits or flower shows are given 
by the board periodically at the conserva- 
tory for the benefit of the public. They 
are especially well patronized by school 
children. - The first midwinter flower show 
ever held in this city was given by the 
Some reference to the building in which 
these plants are housed may be of espe- 
cial interest here. Plans were prepared by 
Hitchings & Co., of New York City, spe- 
cial architects of greenhouse construction, 
in 1906. The building was completed in 
1908. Eleven propagating houses and a 
large potting shed were constructed north 
of Lake street. These houses contain ap- 
proximately 30,000 feet of floor space and 
are models of their kind. The old propa- 
CONSERVATORY, GARFIELD PARK, WEST PARK SYSTEM OF CHICAGO. 
the student of park affairs and is so ed- 
ited and prepared as to be of surpassing 
interest and educative value to the public. 
The book was edited for the commission 
by Pearl A. Power. 
We shall present in succeeding issues 
other matter from this interesting report. 
The new conservatory was completed in 
1908. It includes Palm House, Aquatic 
House, Show Plouse, New Holland House, 
Conifer House and Economic House, and 
answers every requirement of the Park 
System in this direction. Plants from trop- 
ical and sub-tropical countries are on ex- 
hibition at all times. The collection of 
plants, flowers, trees and shrubs is one of 
the finest in the country, the most rare 
and beautiful specimens having been se- 
cured, these being of botanical and edu- 
cational interest and value, as well as 
pleasing to the eye. In the Conifer House 
Park Board on December 19, 1909. The 
conservatory was open to. the public for 
four weeks instead of two, by reason of 
the popularity of this exhibit. Since that 
time, Easter exhibits are regularly given ; 
also chrysanthemum and midwinter show's, 
and any other special exhibits that the 
Board thinks may be of interest to the 
gating houses were torn down and the 
plants removed to the new buildings. 
Suitable planting was provided to screen 
these houses from the street. A large con- 
crete tunnel was constructed to carry the 
steam heating pipes from the power house 
to the conservatory and the propagating 
houses. 
public, The conservatory proper is located near 
The following data and general dimen- the main boulevard, the transportation fa- 
sions pertaining to 
the conservatory are cilities being 
excellent. 
An addition has 
given for convenient 
reference : 
since been 
built for 
public 
lavatories. 
Cubical 
Glass 
General 
Floor Area 
Contents 
Area 
Steam 
Height. 
Dimension. 
Sq. Ft. 
in Cu. Ft. 
Sq. Ft. 
Radiat’n. 
Palm House 
60' 
85' 
X25G' 
20,450 
781,000 
39,400 
8.3S4 
Aquatic House 
35' 
112.5'xl50' 
16,680 
352,800 
16,720 
4,935 
Show House 
30' 
50' 
xl32' 
6,600 
158,400 
10,650 
2,318 
Stove .House 
30' 
50' 
X132' 
6,600 
158,400 
10,650 
3,112 
Conifer House 
3 S' 
65' 
x 86' 
5.462 
167,700 
9,030 
2,562 
New Holland House 
38' 
65' 
x 86' 
5,462 
166,700 
9,030 
3,124 
Economic House . . . 
30' 
50' 
x 97.5' 
4,875 
115,200 
8,500 
1,583 
Front Vestibule . . . . 
16' 
27' 
x 38' 
1,026 
17,200 
500 
480 
West Vestibule and Toilets.. 10' 
25' 
x 36' 
900 
9,000 
220 
240 
Totals 
68,055 
1,927,400 
104,700 
26,738 
