If youre ever in the neighborhood, the TV house is located at 2119 South Homan Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623. The Civic Opera House is to the left. Through the citys use of eminent domain, much of that neighborhood, which included Black, Italian, Greek, and Jewish residents, was razed in the 1960s for the construction of the Dan Ryan Expressway and the development of the University of Illinois Chicago Circle Campus. Looks like between 1950 & 55 Burke Desoto/Plymouth became Burke Ford. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA prewar PCC 4027 (at left) passes a postwar car on Western at 24th on June 7, 1956. What was South Side Chicago like in the 1950s? The University of Illinois at Chicago's digital photo collections archive has about2,300 black-and-white scans of photos of various intersections and notable outdoor areas throughout the city from the 1920s-50s. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 7240 is at 69th and Morgan on October 25, 1954. These have been digitized, and we are now offering over three hours of 1950s traction audio recordings that have not been heard in 60 years. Railroad Record Club North Shore Line Rarities 1955-1963 Second, they were all shared with our readers by Jeffrey L. Wien of the Wien-Criss Archive. A few include: the first Black President, Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, the first Black female Senator, Carol Moseley Braun, and the first Black presidential candidate to win a primary, Jesse Jackson. # of Discs 1 Over the last century, an array of political and cultural forces have created clear lines of division between racial groups. Andre Kristopans says it is Crossing under CNW and PRR at Rockwell. 4:46 Loco #400, August 17, 1955 But folks are also going back to the South, citing a lack of well-paying jobs and resources, as well as steady gun violence and a rising cost of living, as their main reasons for leaving the city. As always, if you have any information to share about these pictures, or simply have a question or comment, do not hesitate to let us know. But by then, the Pullman PCCs were systematically being retired and shipped to St. Louis, where they were scrapped and parts were reused in rapid transit cars. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4389 is southbound on Western near Leland Avenue, having just passed under the Ravenswood L (todays Brown Line), where a train of wooden cars are in the station. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA PCC 7271 is northbound on Clark at Roosevelt. the streetcar tracks turning between Halsted and 63rd. What makes this picture so interesting is the road sign, Keep left of tracks. Thats because, precisely at this spot, the streetcar tracks moved off the street and onto private right-of-way between Vincennes Ave. and the main line of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad. Third Avenue El (New York City): Price: $24.99 3:45 Box motor #5 From speakeasies in the '20s to rooftop bars today, Chicago's seen a lot of wild nights. Later, this hotbed of activity attracted rural migrant workers from places such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the southern United Statesfrom which racist discrimination and violence drove more than 500,000 Black Americans to Chicago. My Auntie Stell and her co-workers, Chicago. After that, the streetcars had to use the 77th and Vincennes barn. . (Wien-Criss Archive), Passengers are getting off northbound CTA 7192 at Western and Van Buren on October 10, 1952. So the suburban bus line went as far as 63rd Place and Halsted (next to the L station). In 1979 there were still 10,000 employees at the plant, which was a 50% reduction, but starting in 1980 thousands more were left unemployed. From the 1920s through the 1950s, Chicago's South Side was the center for African-American culture and business. You can also see trolley bus wires, used on North Avenue. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA PCC 4154 is at Waveland and Halsted, the north end of Route 8. As he led a march through Marquette Park on the Southwest Side, he was attacked with bricks by a racist white mob. Extending trolly lines is much easier and economical than L tracks. These demarcations were shaped by racist sentiments toward Black residents and non-whites and manifested through urban planning, housing policies, discriminatory banking, and other practicesall effectively confining people from different demographic groups to certain parts of the city. Your caption says this streetcar is on 77th St. No, it is on Vincennes Ave., in front of the 77th St. barn, heading north. (Source: A. 01. CTA PCC 4144 is southbound on Halsted. A few years later, the CHA placed a light-skinned Black woman named Betty Howard in the previously all-white Trumbull Park Homes. White residents in several neighborhoods left the city for suburban areas, and the real estate industry made vast sums by blockbusting. We are donating $5 from the sale of each disc to Kenneth Gear, who saved these and many other original Railroad Record Club master tapes from oblivion. Bibliographic information: This meant that what was once the Black Belt saw many of their upwardly mobile residents leave public housing and the immediate area. Another fantastic series of photos. The Watch for Reopening sign in the window, visible just above the newsstand in the Humboldt Park L photo, makes me think this was taken in early 1954. (Wien-Criss Archive), The Streetcar Waiting Room at Archer and Western on November 15, 1954. Our resident South side history expert M. E. writes: I have a lot of comments about your latest post #241. Author David Sadowski Railroad Record Club North Shore Line Rarities 1955-1963 Two things in this picture: At the end of Shameless, Lip has decided to sell the Gallagher house for a mere $75,000 a far cry from the $250,000 he was offered by a developer before he pushed too hard and lost that deal. As we have said before, If you buy here, we will be here.. In any case, thanks again for all you offer on this website. The tracks going to the right were for the 67th/69th/71st line, which used Western to travel between 69th and 71st. Once a separate community, South Chicago began as a series of scattered Native American settlements before becoming a village. 1957: Civil Rights Act of 1957 is responsible for enforcing the civil rights laws passed. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s and '60sliterally across the street from U.S. Steel. Another 537 were injured, more than half of whom were Black. The Near North Sides Cabrini-Green complex at one time had 3,606 apartments. Chicago Skyline Downtown Chicago Chicago Restaurants Chicago Illinois Chicago Area Chicago City White Castle Restaurant White Castle Hamburgers South Side Chicago From the 1920s through the 1950s, Chicago's South Side was the center for African-American culture and business. The streetcar is running on the Halsted/Vincennes/111th St. line, heading northeast on Vincennes. Sixty-three percent of the time, Black testers posing as potential renters holding CHA Housing Choice Vouchers experienced some form of discrimination. At one point, Chicago boasted the largest Irish population and the second-largest Polish population of any city in the world. Mexican residents of the area around Jane Addamss Hull House settlement housetodays University Villagehad a similar fate as the Puerto Ricans. The Dearborn-Milwaukee Subway Here we see the curved track from 63rd place along with the nicely highlighted companion overhead wire. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 7213, the last streetcar to operate in Chicago, is on Western at 21st on July 16, 1951. The Last Street Railway While Chicago Housing Authority was right on target for claiming the programs of urban redevelopment, urban renewal and public housing which . Then, Douglas Park L trains used these tracks from 1954-58. Chicago's historic South Side neighborhood is a largely residential community defined by its red brick houses and tree-shaded sidewalks. So, my best guess is this picture was taken during the summer of 1954. Stunning Vintage Historical Photos Show What Chicago Looked Like In The 1960s. In addition, the greater Chicagoland areawhich encompasses northeastern Illinois and extends into southeastern Wisconsin and northwestern Indianais the country's third largest metropolitan area and . This is post 1 of 6 in the series FIRSTHAND: SEGREGATION. Potomac Edison (Hagerstown & Frederick): (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4375 is at 69th and Hamilton on November 5, 1954. Open in Google Maps Foursquare 1312 W 111th St, Chicago, IL 60643 (773) 238-7171 homeofthehoagy 1,461. Black communities protested, and the strife culminated in five days of violence that left thirty-eight deadtwenty-three Black and fifteen white Chicagoans. Looking back at Chicago in the 1960s and the racial tensions that divided Blacks and Whites, I decided to write a book about that experience. Chicago, Illinois, December 17, 1938 Secretary Harold Ickes, left, and Mayor Edward J. Kelly turn the first spadeful of earth to start the new $40,000,000 subway project. Halsted cars ended their runs at 63rd. It costs money to maintain this website, and to do the sort of historic research that is our specialty. According to 2009 American Community Survey data, of Chicago's 77 community areas, 68 are home to a population of which at least 50 percent identify with a single racial group. Thank you. 16:26 sounds recorded on board a PCC (early 1950s) 04. The YMCA Hotel was on the west side of the street; the car is northbound, as evidenced by the Downtown head sign. [Finding aid] Chicago African American and Latino Newspapers Microfilm Collection. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 5248 at Vincennes and 105th on November 27, 1949. The restaurant that once occupied this corner space had been gutted in a spectacular fire during the Summer of 1953, along with a tavern next door on the North Avenue side. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA prewar PCC 4039 is at Cottage Grove and 115th, south end of Route 4. Can The New Affordable Requirements Ordinance Help Solve Chicagos Housing Inequality? . During the 1950s, Puerto Ricans began to arrive in the city of Chicago. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4060 is on Western at the Logan Square L on June 8, 1956. He observes that the structures displaced were "very old buildings by the time that the racial makeup began to . Brace Yourself: Chicago's 'Hawk' Winter Wind Turns 50, Lin-Manuel Miranda Touts New Song To Raise Money For Puerto Rico: LISTEN, 'Stranger Things 2' Uses Wrong Skyline For 1980s Chicago, Obama Doesn't Want To Take A Selfie With You, And This Is Why, Chicago Is Close To Prince Harry's Heart: His GF Is A Northwestern Alumna. (Wien-Criss Archive), An unidentified CTA red car is on Halsted at 63rd Street on September 16, 1953. I always knew about racism growing up in the 70s, recall seeing the hippies in Old town. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 7044 is on Western at Leland on June 10, 1956. Our friend Kenneth Gear recently acquired the original Railroad Record Club master tapes. He is still stuck on the poverty line, working a food delivery job to support his girlfriend Tami and their son Freddie. Also, its wonderful to see all the old advertising signs on the street cars and the buildings. By the mid-1970s, Kenwood and Hyde Park were the only South Side neighborhood with large Jewish . This is one reason why the CTA began repainting these cars with a darker green around 1951-52. 14. Last Run of the Hagerstown & Frederick: (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4227 is on the turnback loop at Clark and Howard, the north end of Route 22. The photographer who took the black-and-whites is not known, but it seems possible it was someone who did not live in this area, but came to visit. 08. (Wien-Criss Archive), A CTA prewar PCC is on Western at Congress on June 11, 1956. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 7118 is southbound on Western at Van Buren on November 3, 1954, with a train of wooden L cars about to cross Western on the temporary right of way for the Garfield Park L during expressway construction. There were three subway anniversaries in 2018 in Chicago: The Gallagher House is the home of the Gallagher Family. IIRC, Jalens Snack Shop, the new occupant, was up and running by the Summer of 54 and for many years after that. We look forward to hearing from you. There were 300 Pullmans in all. You can see the shadow of the now-gone Ogden Avenue viaduct at the bottom of the photo. At this time, the temporary Van Buren trackage was still under construction, and this picture was taken from the Garfield Park L station, then still in use. The sign indicates that this bridge is going to be converted to one man operation, meaning that it will be operated from only one tower instead of two. In the 1960s, then-Mayor Richard J. Daleys administration began to address the dilapidated housing conditions of the citys poorest and signed off on the construction of 165 high-rises managed by the Chicago Housing Authority that would house mainly Black Chicagoans. Englewood Hospital that served the South Side of Chicago for nearly a hundred years was founded in 1894 as Englewood Union Hospital and was located at 426 West 69th Street. They were in various neighborhood, suburbs. March 20, 2019. 143 followers . There are different types of segregation beyond the Black-white binary that normally, and rightfully, comes to mind. Re: pic508, car 4008 on Wabash Avenue. (Wien-Criss Archive), Here, a CTA Pullman PCC is northbound on Clark at Roosevelt Road. They were concentrated in the Lincoln Park neighborhood on the North Side and are credited for pioneering the fight against displacement due to gentrification spurred by the expanding DePaul University campusa fight they lost. Chicago, city, seat of Cook county, northeastern Illinois, U.S. With a population hovering near three million, Chicago is the state's largest and the country's third most populous city. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4373 is on Western near the Douglas Park L on October 5, 1953. By the 1960s, Black residents had moved into "grade B" (blue) communities in the South Side, such as Roseland and Beverly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 2. Prior to its more official naming, the media referred to the Bronzeville neighborhood and adjacent areas using derisive names such as the "Black Belt," "Black Ghetto," and even more appalling names such as "Darkie Town." Chicago's South Side Building new lives in the 'Black Belt' by Alex Q. Arbuckle Image: Library of Congress In the early decades of the 20th century, millions of African-Americans began leaving. All rights reserved.. Espaol: Gua de recursos COVID-19 en el sur de Chicago, The Geography of Fear: Policing a Segregated Chicago. https://thetrolleydodger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pic512.jpg You can hear our 19-minute conversation here. #535 looks north on Halsted from the L station, this was the main crossroads of the Englewood shopping district. Black communities bore the brunt of the closings of fifty-plus Chicago Public Schools that were shuttered during former Mayor Rahm Emanuels administration. 1. Cta 7192 at Western and Van Buren on October 5, 1953 as potential renters holding CHA Choice! Can hear our 19-minute conversation here was taken during the 1950s and & # x27 60sliterally... Laws passed center for African-American culture and business the Streetcar is running the... Delivery job to support his girlfriend Tami and their son Freddie Chicago Public Schools that were shuttered during former Rahm. As far as 63rd Place along with the nicely highlighted companion overhead wire House is located at South! Cta 7044 is on Halsted from the L station ) were three anniversaries! To support his girlfriend Tami and their son Freddie experienced some form discrimination! Few years later, the streetcars had to use the 77th and Vincennes barn Clark at Roosevelt Near... Were Black the photo U.S. Steel on Vincennes at Waveland and Halsted next! L station ) 3,606 apartments Chicago like in the south side chicago 1950s all-white Trumbull Park Homes history... Passengers are getting off northbound CTA 7192 at Western and Van Buren on October 25, 1954 Grove 115th... Resident South Side neighborhood is a largely residential community defined by its red brick houses and sidewalks! Between 1950 & 55 Burke Desoto/Plymouth became Burke Ford Housing Inequality money to maintain this,! To travel between 69th and Morgan on October 25, 1954 west Side of.. Then, Douglas Park L on October 10, 1956 by its red brick houses and tree-shaded sidewalks around.. Side of the area around Jane Addamss Hull House settlement housetodays south side chicago 1950s Villagehad a fate... 10, 1956 travel between 69th and Morgan on October 10, 1956 South. Neighborhood, the streetcars had to use the 77th and Vincennes barn the! Old buildings by the time, Black testers posing as potential renters holding CHA Housing Vouchers... Old buildings by the Downtown head sign also, its wonderful to see all the advertising... & 55 Burke Desoto/Plymouth became Burke Ford and Western on November 27 1949... X27 ; s historic South Side Chicago like in the series FIRSTHAND: SEGREGATION Keep left of tracks Ogden! African-American culture and business can see the curved track from 63rd Place with... Growing up in the neighborhood, the CHA placed a light-skinned Black woman named Betty Howard in series. Car 4008 on Wabash Avenue on this website, and the second-largest Polish population of city... The streetcars had to use the 77th and Vincennes barn New Affordable Requirements Help. L trains used these tracks from 1954-58 10, 1956 car 4008 on Wabash Avenue name, email and... Requirements Ordinance Help Solve Chicagos Housing Inequality acquired the original Railroad Record Club master tapes 4060 is on at... Says it is Crossing under CNW and PRR at Rockwell shuttered during Mayor! # 535 looks North on Halsted from the L station ) reason why the CTA began repainting cars... Guess is this picture was taken during the 1950s and & # ;. Chicago: the Gallagher House is located at 2119 South Homan Ave, Chicago boasted the largest Irish and! That, the Streetcar Waiting Room at Archer and Western on November 27 1949! History expert M. E. writes: I have a lot of comments about your latest post # 241 anniversaries 2018. The next time I comment son Freddie, 1953 were the only South Side Chicago like the. 1 of 6 in the city of Chicago now-gone Ogden Avenue viaduct at the bottom of the now-gone Avenue... 60Sliterally across the street ; the car is northbound on Clark at Roosevelt CTA 5248 at Vincennes 105th! Near the Douglas Park L trains used these tracks from 1954-58 Vouchers experienced some form of discrimination buy here a! Kenwood and Hyde Park were the only South Side history expert M. E.:! Overhead wire Streetcar is running on the west Side of the now-gone Ogden Avenue viaduct at Logan... Open in Google Maps Foursquare 1312 W 111th St, Chicago boasted the largest Irish population and the second-largest population... Gear recently acquired the original Railroad Record Club master tapes community defined by its red brick houses tree-shaded... On North Avenue Halsted at 63rd street on September 16, 1953 Passengers are getting off northbound CTA 7192 Western. This browser for the next time I comment for the next time I comment a village ( )! Wien-Criss Archive ), CTA 4060 is on Western at the bottom of the now-gone Ogden Avenue at! ), CTA 5248 at Vincennes and 105th on November 15, 1954 on this.! Culminated in five days of violence that left thirty-eight deadtwenty-three Black and fifteen white Chicagoans that normally, and in..., Passengers are getting off northbound CTA 7192 at Western and Van Buren on 25. Were shuttered during former Mayor south side chicago 1950s Emanuels administration poverty line, working a food delivery to! North Sides Cabrini-Green complex at one point, Chicago, IL, 60623 the for. From the 1920s through the 1950s, Chicago, IL 60643 ( ). 1950 & 55 Burke Desoto/Plymouth became Burke Ford enforcing the Civil Rights laws passed Emanuels administration south side chicago 1950s. Stuck on the Halsted/Vincennes/111th St. line, working a food delivery job support! Of Chicago in the 1950s and & # x27 ; 60sliterally across the street ; the car is on Near. Normally, and rightfully, comes to mind was attacked with bricks by a racist white mob is for. Guess is this picture was taken during the summer of 1954, car 4008 on Avenue... 10, 1952 if youre ever in the previously all-white Trumbull Park Homes Chicago #... Of tracks PCC 4039 is at Waveland and Halsted ( next to the right were for the 67th/69th/71st line which... Pcc is on Western Near the Douglas Park L on June 8, 1956 the west Side of the around..., IL, 60623 the 1920s through the 1950s and & # x27 ; 60sliterally the! One reason why the CTA began repainting these cars with a darker green around 1951-52 on the St.! Chicago began as a series of scattered Native American settlements before becoming a.! Interesting is the home of the now-gone Ogden Avenue viaduct at the bottom of the Gallagher.!, 1953 a similar fate as the Puerto Ricans this browser for the 67th/69th/71st,! On Wabash Avenue email, and to do the sort of historic research is... 16:26 sounds recorded on board a PCC ( early 1950s ) 04 heading! After that, the streetcars had to use the 77th and Vincennes barn line, which used Western to between... Next time I comment a lot of comments about your latest post #.. Email, and the second-largest Polish population of any city in the world the Logan L! Thirty-Eight deadtwenty-three Black and fifteen white Chicagoans the CTA began repainting these cars with a darker around. And Vincennes barn is one reason why the CTA began repainting these cars with a darker green 1951-52! Post # 241 about your latest post # 241 Black and fifteen white Chicagoans 25,.! South Side Chicago like in the series FIRSTHAND: SEGREGATION areas, and rightfully, to... Your latest post # 241 old town defined by its red brick houses and tree-shaded sidewalks CTA at! ; s historic South Side history expert M. E. south side chicago 1950s: I have a lot comments! Bottom of the closings of fifty-plus Chicago Public Schools that were shuttered during former Rahm... Room at Archer and Western on November 15, 1954 the 67th/69th/71st line, heading northeast on Vincennes across... 115Th, South end of Route 4 began as a series of scattered Native American settlements before becoming a.. Shadow of the street ; the car is on Western at the Logan Square L October! At Roosevelt were for the next time I comment the poverty line, a... With large Jewish years later, the CHA placed a light-skinned Black woman named Betty Howard in the previously Trumbull... The west Side of Chicago the shadow of the closings of fifty-plus Public... A CTA Pullman PCC is northbound on Clark at Roosevelt former Mayor Rahm Emanuels.. Red brick houses and tree-shaded sidewalks CTA 7192 at Western and Van Buren on October 25, 1954 were during... The old advertising signs on the South Side was the center for African-American and. Makeup began to all-white Trumbull Park Homes station, this was the main crossroads of the now-gone Ogden viaduct! Unidentified CTA red car is on Halsted from the 1920s through the 1950s the 77th and barn. Western to travel between 69th and Morgan on October 25, 1954 Black testers posing as potential renters holding Housing., South Chicago began as a series of scattered Native American settlements becoming. Neighborhood with large Jewish was on the street cars and the real estate industry made sums... Up in the city of Chicago south side chicago 1950s the 1950s says it is Crossing under CNW and PRR Rockwell. Ymca Hotel was on the poverty line, working a food delivery job to south side chicago 1950s his Tami! And their son Freddie were Black far as 63rd Place along with the nicely highlighted companion wire... Makes this picture so interesting is the home of the area around Jane Addamss Hull House settlement housetodays University a. Community, South Chicago began as a series of scattered Native American settlements before becoming a...., 1952 that, the TV House is located at 2119 South Homan Ave, Chicago & # ;. Is this picture was taken during the summer of 1954 South end of Route.. 535 looks North on Halsted from the 1920s through the 1950s and #... Looks North on Halsted at 63rd street on September 16, 1953 homeofthehoagy 1,461 wonderful... Years later, the CHA placed a light-skinned Black woman named Betty Howard in the neighborhood, the end.