Hoping Chicago Gets the 2016 Summer Olympics

The peristyle (new) in Millennium Park

I don't know what the rest of the country is talking about, but here in Chicago, all the talk is about the city's bid for the 2016 Olympics. Even President Obama and Oprah Winfrey are going to Copenhagen this week to meet with the International Olympic Committee, who make their decision on October 2.

View of Chicago skyline from Lurie Garden, Millennium Park

Chicago is known for its architecture. Since the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Chicago has built itself from the ground up as an innovative world class city. I'm more a fan of residential Victorian architecture, but Chicago still has some highly ornate and famous skyscrapers and other buildings from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Some of our notable architects from that era have been Adler & Sullivan, Burnham & Root, and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Views of the Art Institute of Chicago (1892)

New wing of the Art Institute overlooking Lurie Garden

Mayor Daley has done much to beautify the downtown area during his many years in office. Daley has stated that he loves Paris and wants Chicago to have that feel. Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park have been fitted with Parisian-style train entrances, old-fashioned street lamps, and flower plantings everywhere.

Lovers of late American Victorian architecture can take tours of Chicago showcasing the amazing facades. Newer unique structures mingle with the old. If Chicago wins its Olympic bid, I'll post more photos of some of the more famous older landmarks.