| Address | 3243-3711 North Halsted Street( Odd and Even),, Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Built | 1997 |
| Architect | DeStefano+Partners |
| Status | Designated Chicago Landmark |
| Designation Date | July 24, 2019 (Final) |
| Neighborhood | Lake View |
| Type | Site and commemorative |
| Landmark ID | L-374 |
Direct quotes from the Chicago Landmark Designation Report
“The Rainbow Pylons and the Legacy Walk serve a critical role in raising the public visibility of LGBTQ lives. The Legacy Walk was the first memorial to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of LGBTQ people in world history.”
“Other institutions included the Society for Human Rights, founded by Henry Gerber in 1924, which was the first chartered LGBTQ civil rights organization in the United States. Although the organization lasted only one year, Gerber's legacy continues, and his home at 1704 North Crilly Court is both a designated Chicago Landmark and a National Historic Landmark (2015).”
“In 2012, the pylons were selected by the nonprofit organization the Legacy Project as the location for the first outdoor museum recognizing the significant world achievements and contributions of LGBTQ people.”
“It is not a stock piece, or an element comprised of prefabricated components. Integrity It must have a significant historic, community, architectural or aesthetic interest or value, the integrity of which is preserved in light of its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and ability to express such historic, community, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value." The Rainbow Pylons possess a high degree of integrity, with all 20 in their original locations.”
“At the ceremony, the first 18 plaques in the walk were dedicated. Each year between 2012 and 2018, several new plaques were sponsored and installed on the Halsted Street pylons.”
“The pylons physically represent a significant historic cultural shift in Chicago and the United States in the 1990s to honor the rights, existence, and importance of the LGBTQ community.”
“The Rainbow Pylons and The Legacy walk also meet the additional requirements for designation outlined in the Community Streetscape Markers Context Statement adopted by the Commission on March 7, 2019, which state the following: The design of the marker(s) must employ the use of symbolism or imagery that is significant and/or reflects a certain social, ethnic, or cultural group.”
“As of 2018, the pylons have been enhanced with 40 illuminated bronze plaques dedicated to historically important world-wide figures in the LGBTQ community. Together, the 20 Rainbow Pylons and the Legacy Walk's 40 plaques complement each other to form a bold, visible streetscape that serves to educate the public and deliver an overall sense of place that is both safe and inclusive.”
“They developed additional significance in 2012 as the first outdoor memorial space dedicated to educating the public about the significant world contributions and achievements of LBGTQ people. The nonprofit Legacy Walk Organization was organized by community and LGBTQ activists Victor Salvo, Lori Cannon, and Owen Keehnen to create an outdoor museum to LGBTQ history.”