Author: lbchicago1@hotmail.com

Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum was founded in 1856. It was formerly known as the Chicago Historical Society. It is located near Lincoln Park at 1601 North Clark Street in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood. Much of the museum’s first collection was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but they were able to collect new materials for display and rebuild. They actually rebuilt twice due to fires. Exhibitions explore both Chicago and American history. Chicago:Crossroads of America exhibit explores the city’s development as it relates to American history. Other exhibits/galleries include: Facing Freedom, Abraham Lincoln alcoves, Portrait Gallery, Sensing Chicago, Diorama Hall, Chicago ‘L’ System display, Imagining Chicago and many more. The displays are very impressive and are a great way to not only learn about the history of Chicago, but also a way to get to know this city on a more personal level!

Palmer Square – Chicago

Palmer Square is a pocket neighborhood located in Logan Square. It is located within the boundaries of Fullerton, Armitage, Kedzie, and Milwaukee. The neighborhood’s name comes from the actual Palmer Square, which is a 7 acre park with a children’s playground, walking & jogging trails and art installations. Palmer Square is conveniently located near the Kennedy Expressway and the CTA Blue Line “L” California and Western stops. Palmer Square is also a part of Chicago’s historic boulevard system. It is named after John McCauley Palmer, who was a lawyer and Civil War General and the 15th Governor of Illinois. The playground was inspired by the children’s book The Velveteen Rabbit.

Wabash Arts Corridor

The Wabash Arts Corridor is a series of large mural installations in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago. It is located primarily on Wabash, spanning roughly from Van Buren to Roosevelt and bounded by Michigan Avenue on the East and State Street on the West. It is known as a living urban canvas, and was started in 2013 by Columbia College.

Signs of the Times

When I walk around the Chicago Area taking photos, I see a lot of signs both old and new and large and small and I love them all! How they look says a lot about the business and the time it was designed. There are so many interesting signs, so this is just part 1 of this series. Enjoy!!

Fulton River District – Chicago

Please join me for a brief walk down Milwaukee Avenue through the Fulton River District neighborhood of Chicago. Although there is so much more to see of the Fulton River District, Milwaukee Avenue is a good representation of the timeline of Chicago industrialism and heart of the neighborhood. I have always been interested in early Chicago history of the 1800s, especially industrial history, so walking down Milwaukee Avenue in the district felt like this was the real Chicago……at least to me.

The 1830 original plat of Chicago included much of the area that is now the Fulton River District. The street grid and block layout of this small area defined the pattern of Chicago’s development as the city grew. Commerce dominated the district throughout its history. Lumber and grain were shipped through the district. Randolph Street became the center of wholesale produce distribution in the late 19th century.

Bohemian National Cemetery

Last week while I was walking around in the North Park neighborhood of Chicago I discovered the Bohemian National Cemetery. The cemetery is located at 5255 North Pulaski Road in Chicago. It was established and built in 1877 by members of the Czech community. It’s known for its limestone gatehouse and decorated columbarium niches where ashes are stored. Czech American military veterans are honored through a Civil War, Spanish American War and World Wars memorials. There is a memorial to the victims of the Eastland Shipwreck Disaster and a memorial to Anton Cermak (a mayor of Chicago that was assassinated in 1933). Other famous people buried there are: Otto Kerner, Sr. (judge and former Attorney General), Elsie Paroubek (a five year old kidnapping and murder victim), Charles J. Vopicka (U.S. Ambassador), and Wanda Stopa (Assistant U.S. Attorney). There is also a Chicago Cubs Columbarium for Cubs fans called Beyond the Vines. The Mother statue is a beautiful work by the sculptor Albin Polasek completed for the cemetery’s 50th anniversary in 1927. The Masaryk Memorial Mausoleum was dedicated in 1956 to honor Thomas Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of the Republic of Czechoslovakia. The Ladimir Klacel Circle was dedicated in 1885 to honor Ladimir Klacel (a Bohemian philosopher and teacher).

Bryn Mawr Avenue in North Park

Last week I visited a stretch of Bryn Mawr Avenue in the North Park neighborhood of Chicago. I walked from Kimball Avenue to Kedzie Avenue, and it was like taking a walk back in time, because I lived on Bryn Mawr and Kimball and attended Northeastern Illinois University in the early 1980s. The little shops and the architecture of the buildings made me feel like I was in Germany or Sweden – which made sense because I when I did some research it said North Park was originally settled by Swedish immigrants. Today the neighborhood is a blend of cultures. You can still find Swedish businesses such as Tre Konor Nordic restaurant and the Sweden Shop. The Czech influence can be seen at the Bohemian National Cemetery. There is also a heavy Asian presence in the community today. When I lived there in the early 80s the area also had a Jewish presence. There is still a Jewish grocery store there.

This is where I lived while attending Northeastern Illinois University.

Belmont Central – Chicago

Belmont Central is a Chicago neighborhood located in the Belmont Cragin community area. It is on the Northwest side of Chicago. During the 1920s a retail shopping district began to develop along Belmont Avenue, and it became known as Belmont Central. There were large department stores such as Goldblatt’s, Woolworth’s, and JC Penney. These stores are now located in the Brickyard Mall. There was also the Will Rogers theater, which was demolished. The area is now primarily Hispanic, but many Polish and Italian businesses also still remain.

I worked in the Belmont Central Area as an assistant manager at a retail store after graduating college and I shopped there a lot as a child. My husband and I also used to go to the Will Rogers theater to watch Disney movies. I enjoyed visiting the Belmont Central area last week. I loved the mixture of the Polish, Italian and Mexican cultures I experienced there…..especially the large variety of ethnic foods available at Tony’s Fresh Market!