Lincoln Park, Chicago

Lincoln Park, also designated as Community Area 7, is one of the North side community areas of Chicago, Illinois in the United States. Named after Lincoln Park, a vast stretch of park belonging to the Chicago Park District, the community area is anchored by the Lincoln Park Zoo and DePaul University. Lincoln Park is bordered by the community areas of Lakeview and North Center to the north, Logan Square (Bucktown neighborhood) and West Town to the west, and Near North to the south.

History

The area now known as Lincoln Park in Chicago was primarily forest with stretches of grassland and occasional quicksand until the late 1820s when the Europeans arrived.

In 1824 the United States Army built a small post near today's Clybourn Avenue and Armitage Avenue (formerly Centre Street). Indian settlements existed along Green Bay Trail, now called Clark Street (named after George Rogers Clark), at the current intersection of Halsted Street and Fullerton Avenue.

In 1836, land from North to Fullerton and from the lake to Halsted was relatively inexpensive, costing $150 per acre ($0.04 m²). Because the area was considered remote, a small pox hospital and the city cemetery were located in Lincoln Park until the 1860s.

In 1837, Chicago was incorporated as a city, and North Avenue was established as its northern boundary. Settlements increased along Green Bay Trail when (1) the government offered land claims and (2) Green Bay Road was widened.

In the period following the Civil War, the area around St. Josaphat's parish around Southport and Clybourn was home to Chicago's Cassubian community, who although Polish in national orientation, possess their own distinct culture and language marked by the distinct influences of their maritime way of life as well as their German neighbors.

In the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Lincoln Park was also home to the first Puerto Rican immigrants to Chicago. Jose (Cha-Cha) Jimenez transformed the local Young Lords gang into human rights activists for Latinos and the poor. They mounted sit-ins and takeovers of institutions and churches at Grant Hospital, Armitage Ave. Methodist Church, and McCormick Theological Seminary.

Today, few Puerto Ricans reside in Lincoln Park. [www.nationalyounglords.com] The neighborhood population is primarily made up of young urban professionals, recent college graduates, and young families.

Neighborhood

Although boundaries are precisely defined in the city's list of official neighborhoods, the Lincoln Park neighborhood in popular thought has somewhat variable boundaries; it is generally considered to be bordered on the north by Diversey Parkway, on the west by Clybourn Avenue, on the south by North Avenue, and on the east by the public park of the same name.

Lincoln Park is home to Lincoln Park High School, Francis W. Parker School, and DePaul University. Many students who attend these schools now live in this neighborhood.

Lincoln Park is also home to two architecturally significant churches: St. Vincent De Paul and St. Josaphat's, one of the many so-called 'Polish Cathedrals' in Chicago. Visible from throughout the neighborhood, these monumental edifices tower over the neighborhood lending the area much of its charm.

There are many boutiques, retail stores, restaurants and coffee shops. There are also many bars and clubs in the area, especially along Lincoln Avenue between Diversey and Armitage.

In 2007, "Forbes" magazine named the area between Armitage St, Willow St, Burling St, and Orchard St as the most expensive block in Chicago. [ [http://www.forbes.com/2007/08/30/most-expensive-blocks-forbeslife-cx_mw_0831blocks.html The Most Expensive Blocks In The U.S. - Forbes.com ] ]

Lincoln Park (Chicago Park District)

Lincoln Park, for which the neighborhood was named, stretches along the lakefront from Ardmore Avenue (in Edgewater) south to North Avenue. The park contains a zoo, an outdoor theatre, a rowing canal, the Chicago History Museum, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, ponds, playing fields, and a large statue of General Grant.

Transportation

The Lincoln Park neighborhood is accessible via mass transit, including the CTA's Red, Brown, and Purple lines at the Fullerton station, the Purple and Brown lines at Armitage, and Diversey stations, as well as CTA bus service.

Via car, Lincoln Park can be reached by using Lake Shore Drive or Interstate 94.

Education

Lincoln Park residents are served by Chicago Public Schools, which includes neighborhood and city-wide options for students.

Lincoln Park High School serves as the sole neighborhood secondary education institution and is ranked one of Chicago's best public high schools. Nationally, Lincoln Park High School is ranked as the 90th best high school in the country by U.S. News and World Report. [ [http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/illinois/lincoln_park_high_school Lincoln Park High School: Best High Schools - USNews.com ] ]

Additionally, three elementary schools (grades K-8), LaSalle Language Academy, Abraham Lincoln Elementary School [http://www.lincoln.cps.k12.il.us/] and Oscar Mayer Elementary School [http://www.mayer.cps.k12.il.us/] are found in the neighborhood.

Private schools

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago operates the Saint Clement School [http://public.stclementschool.org/] , a K-8 school, in the Lincoln Park area.

Francis W. Parker School, a K-12 school, is in the area.

Public libraries

Chicago Public Library operates the Lincoln Park Branch.

Photos

References

External links

* [http://egov.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_ATTACH/Community_Areas_LINCOLN_PARK.pdf Official City of Chicago Lincoln Park Community Map]
* [http://hiddentruths.northwestern.edu Hidden Truths: Chicago City Cemetery and Lincoln Park - Then and Now]
* [http://www.getfave.com/locations/search?q=&near=Lincoln+Park%2C+Chicago%2C+IL GetFave.com, Lincoln Park Neighborhood Business Video Guide and Business Directory]
* [http://www.nationalyounglords.com/ Young Lords origins]

Geographic Location
Center = Lincoln Park, Chicago
North = Lakeview, Chicago
East = Lake Michigan
South = Near North Side, Chicago
Southwest = West Town, Chicago
West = Logan Square, Chicago
Northwest = North Center, Chicago