 These beautiful, geometric architectural statues were conceived in 1914 for the specific purpose of adorning and watching over Midway Gardens, once a center for premier entertainment, fine food and music on Chicago's lakefront. By 1916 night life throughout Chicago suffered and the end to Midway Gardens came in 1920 when Prohibition was declared. The building was finally closed and demolished in October of 1929. Midway Gardens was bulldozed into Lake Michigan as a breakwall. As the story goes, a member of the Midway Gardens wrecking crew either rescued the Sprites from the lake or snatched them before they were destroyed. After restoration and recasting work was done on these wandering Sprites, Taliesin Associated Architects donated eight Sprites, each standing 6 feet tall and weighing 450 pounds, to the Arizona Biltmore in October of 1985.
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