Many stone carvers along Chicago’s lakefront thoughtfully included a date with their work, allowing us a sense of how this art took shape over the decades. At places like Promontory Point and Morgan Shoal, these dates also allow us to better understand the historic character of the quarry-stone revetments, some of which are approaching the century mark in age. Unfortunately, the blocks and their carvings are in imminent danger of disappearing in the name of lakeshore reconstruction. (More on that here.)
Below are photo galleries for the two sites, including all the dated carvings I’ve been able to find so far. At Morgan Shoal, there are a dozen dated carvings from the 1930s alone, and one as recent as 2010. At Promontory Point the carvings also reach back to the ’30s, although mostly later since the Point was not completed until later in that decade.
Morgan Shoal
Promontory Point
I knew a “Corky.” The one I knew was graduate of Lane High School and a 1962 or 63 graduate of the Institute of Design at IIT. He was a fine Graphic Designer and leader in that community, particularly the STA (Society of Typographical Arts) all through the 70s and 80s. He also encouraged many women in the field. He lived on Irving Park just west of Southport. He was a most generous soul.
Stef Leinwohl
But did Corky date a Fern?