Stockton Drive Deming Place Underpass

Information and Findings From Lincoln Park National Register Historic District Nomination

Discussion of Bridge

The area west of the zoo between Stockton Dr. and Clark St. has a flatter, less rolling topography with wide stretches of lawn. This area has remained essentially unchanged since 1926 when alterations were made to the circulation system for underpasses built beneath Stockton Dr. The three underpasses are located at Deming Pl., Belden Ave. and Armitage Ave. They were likely designed by an in-house staff member of the Lincoln Park Commission, possibly Ernst Shroeder. The underpasses are composed of random laid small granite boulders faced on reinforced concrete. They have shallow round arched openings for pedestrians. Flanking the arched openings of all three bridges are retaining walls composed of the same masonry. These low walls, which are gently rounded, create planting areas at the lower part of the slope from Stockton Dr. to the paths below. The alterations to Stockton Dr. in 1926 were done in a manner that was sensitive to the rolling quality of the natural landscape. This character is particularly strong on the east side of Stockton Dr.

Discussion of Stockton Drive

In 1926, the year prior to the construction of the Administration Building, Stockton Dr. was widened to accommodate a heavier flow of automobile traffic than had previously existed. Stockton Dr. was constructed at a higher elevation and three masonry underpass bridges were included in the project. The Stockton Dr. improvement provided direct automobile access to the Administration Building, which was constructed in 1927.