The original objective was to treat basic illness and to train nurses and interns. By the 1960s, Black residents had moved into grade B (blue) communities in the South Side, such as Roseland and Beverly. This picture was taken on June 17, 1955 at Western and 71st. In the mid-1950s Chicago faced its first postindustrial crisis as the major meatpacking companies began to close their production facilities. Tenants were promised a right to return to soon-to-be-built housing on the sites and placed on voucher waiting lists, but many residents struggled to meet the bureaucratic requirements to be considered. The Southeast Side is a description that the city itself continues to resist, including this neighborhood with all of Chicago's South Side communities. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 7042, in the distance, is about to clear a temporary switch so that the car on the right can cross over to that side during track work. St. Louis Public Service: Notice and Photo 504 shows car 4108 turning off of northbound Dearborn St. to westbound Kinzie St. before continuing north on Clark St. Photo 506 is certainly plausible. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 7160, viewed from the Douglas Park L (todays Pink Line), is operating on Western at 21st on June 15, 1955. This corresponds to the white on dark green format of the 54 Illinois plates. Another treasure trove of photos thanks to the Wien-Criss Archive. ISBN 1467129380, 9781467129381 06. . ca. The 1919 Race Riots, which were part of the racial violence seen across the country during a period known as the Red Summer, were provoked by an attempt to enforce segregation in the waters of Lake Michigan. Perhaps there was a parade on State Street that day (between 1939 and 1949 there was no State Street bridge, and this would have been the regular route for 36 then). Will Guy Fieri Cook The Bean Before It's Windexed? In the twenty years from 1890 to 1910, Chicago's African-American population increased . This view is looking south along Western at 71st St. Between 1950 and 1960 Chicago's population shrank for the first time in its history, as factory jobs leveled off and people moved to the suburbs. 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." Press ESC to cancel. White Flight, which I titled "Midnight Flight: One family's experience of White Flight and the racial transformation of Chicago's South Side (an online novel)" which you can read here for free . These 10 Photos of Illinois In The 1950s Are Mesmerizing Let's take a look back at some of the golden years of Illinois. Additionally, 7.68% of the population is represented by non-citizens. Located on the south side of Chicago, Bronzeville became an established neighborhood around the turn of the twentieth century. https://chicagology.com/wp-content/themes/revolution-20/century/194063rdhalsted.jpg. 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. Shameless fans, you are welcome to come inside the gate and take pictures on the porch, a sign in front of the house reads. In the background, you can see the viaduct which is now part of the 606 Trail. Tens of thousands of Black residents are also leaving their traditional South and West side neighborhoods in recent years, as has been extensively reported, in what some are calling an outmigration or a reverse migration. The citys Black population peaked in the mid-twentieth century and is now at its lowest level since then, with 787,551 Black residents as of 2020. This meant that what was once the Black Belt saw many of their upwardly mobile residents leave public housing and the immediate area. Altoona & Logan Valley: (Wien-Criss Archive), Passengers are getting off northbound CTA 7192 at Western and Van Buren on October 10, 1952. https://thetrolleydodger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pic530.jpg Todays photos have two things in common. Third Avenue El (New York City): PCCs were taken off Madison on December 13, 1953. The City of Chicago broke ground on what would become the Initial System of Subways during the Great Depression and finished 20 years later. It truly is a phenomenal resource, not only for those interested in transit history, but also for anyone researching Chicago or Twentieth Century urban life. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4053 on Western and 66th on July 31, 1955. 08. Western Ave. cars had used the carbarn at 69th and Ashland until it closed. (2) As can be seen from each side of the street in this photo, Western Ave. was auto dealer row for a mile or so to either side of 63rd St. https://thetrolleydodger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pic555.jpg The River Tunnels What I would also love to see is pictures of what the Chicago neighborhoods and its residents looked like during that specific time period. During the 1950s, Puerto Ricans began to arrive in the city of Chicago. The plan was ostensibly intended to decentralize Black poverty and relocate residents to mixed-income housing in integrated neighborhoods. Chicago Skyline Downtown Chicago Chicago Restaurants Chicago Illinois Chicago Area Chicago City White Castle Restaurant White Castle Hamburgers South Side Chicago HOUSING SEGREGATION IN 1950S SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO Already experiencing a population boom after Reconstruction, Chicago was a popular destination for African Americans moving from the South to the North in the early 20th century. Although the show is set in Chicagos Back of the Yards neighborhood, the house used for filming is actually located in the citys North Lawndale neighborhood. 05. We're talking about the 1950s. Includes both Electroliners, standard cars, and locomotives. From the Original Master Tapes You would be forgiven for not recognizing this location, but thats the Western Avenue station on the Humboldt Park L, just north of North Avenue. https://thetrolleydodger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pic544.jpg He would later say, I have been in the Civil Rights Movement for many years all through the South, but I have never seen not even in Alabama or Louisianamobs as hostile and hateful as this crowd. The Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968. (Wien-Criss Archive), The Streetcar Waiting Room at Archer and Western on November 15, 1954. As a field interviewer I had to look for displaced residents from the projects. The date is June 17, 1955. By 1964 most of the large packers had disappeared. 80 years since subway construction started (December 17, 1938) Railroad Record Club North Shore Line Rarities 1955-1963 (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4028 is on Western at 27th on November 20, 1955. 18. With maybe at least a few St.Louis-built cars being included in some of those orders; the Pullman cars were largely gone from the streets by the end of 1955. Burned in 1980s and in what was a real mindblower, the reporter on scene actually called it an old CTA facility. Do you recall the L that ran across Chicago Ave near Goldblatts in the 50s it crossed Chicago Ave between Ashland & Wood St. Im trying to find a photo but cant locate one. The Second Ghetto Unfortunately, public housing did not solve Chicago's housing problems. Your caption says this streetcar is on 77th St. No, it is on Vincennes Ave., in front of the 77th St. barn, heading north. This is one reason why the CTA began repainting these cars with a darker green around 1951-52. Discriminatory housing policies meant that the majority of African American families lived like the Youngers, in kitchenette apartments - larger apartments were broken up into several smaller homes, with a very small kitchen and one bedroom. Google view shows the approximate location from which #536 was taken. 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. The deadliest tornado hit on April 21, 1967, traveling through Oak Lawn and the South Side of Chicago, killing 33 and injuring 500. . (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 640 is running under the L on Halsted at 63rd Place on May 25, 1954. Chicago Youth Organize Townhall for Mayoral Candidates, Op-Ed: Chuy Garca Isnt Running as a Progressive This Mayoral Bid, Chicago Rapper 8MatikLogan Gives Himself A Second Chance, IRS Approves Federal Nonprofit Status for South Side Weekly NFP, Mayoral Debate was a Poor Night for Chicago, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. 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. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 687 is at Division and Larrabee on May 17, 1954. 8:40 Queens Plaza station, December 31, 1954 Most resided in Humboldt Park with Division Street being the heart of the neighborhood. These were stipulations written into deeds of sale that prohibited Black residents and non-whites from buying, leasing, or inhabiting property in a determined parcel. Halsted cars ended their runs at 63rd. CHICAGO If you think your neighborhood has changed since you first moved in, you should see what it looked like 60 years ago. 1. The streetcar is running on the Halsted/Vincennes/111th St. line, heading northeast on Vincennes. #536 is a companion picture from the street to #534. 16:26 sounds recorded on board a PCC (early 1950s) These restrictive covenants were outlawed in 1948, allowing Black residents to begin to spread out beyond the Black Belt and to pursue a middle-class life in better-resourced communities. While in the South Side Chicago hoods along 83rd, 87th, and 95th streets the Black P. Stones have had a dominant presence since the 1970s. 01. John White/U.S. We mapped out hundreds of the photos and compared them with Google Street Viewto show just how much Chicago has changed. Late 1950s. Visit the website (wttw.com/firsthand) to explore all of the elements of the project. Queensboro Bridge Company (New York City): Photos 534, 535 & 536 Englewood, at 63rd & Halsted was one of Chicagos largest and most important commercial shopping districts outside of the loop. This move included the expansion of popular music styles, bringing jazz to Chicago and the rest of the country. [/caption], RRC-OMTT Through a century of discriminatory strategies from the City and the real estate industry, in addition to antiquated attitudes toward Black residents and people of color, Chicago continues to be a city of neighborhoodshighly segregated neighborhoods. The heart of the Englewood shopping district on Chicago's South Side, photographed looking north on Halsted Street from the 63rd Street elevated train platform, circa May 1945. The station was closed in 1952, probably just a few months before this picture was taken. Title Building Chicagos Subways 4:53 Engine whistle signals, loco #12, January 17, 1954 While the Gallaghers are said to live on Wallace Street, the house is actually located on Homan Avenue. Close to a third of Chicago neighborhoods were given a D grade and marked red on a mapthus, redlined. These areas, all of which were predominantly Black communities, were deemed undesirable, and residents from these neighborhoods were usually denied bank loans and insurance, severely limiting their housing prospects and mobility. The interactive map shows that by the 1950s, Black residents had started to trickle into grade C or yellow-lined European immigrant neighborhoods on the West and Southeast sides. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4227 is on the turnback loop at Clark and Howard, the north end of Route 22. They turned east on 63rd to Union Ave. (700 W.), then south to 63rd Place, then west to alongside (south of) the Halsted L station, then back north on Halsted. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4060 is on Western at the Logan Square L on June 8, 1956. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4020 on Western at 73rd during track work on June 26, 1955. There were three subway anniversaries in 2018 in Chicago: The Last Street Railway It was converted to apartments in 1985. For Shipping Elsewhere: With yt people spreading almost all across Chicago and changing so much of the neighborhoods cultures and its peoples.. its hard to imagine those areas without them. (David Sadowski Photo). In those days, the fastest way from the south side to the Loop was the Englewood L, which ended at 63rd Place and Loomis (1400 W.) And of course the Englewood business district was very prosperous. One comment, the photo of CTA 687 is at Division and Crosby, not Larrabee. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. Note the circa 1953 Cadillac at left. 10. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA PCC 4154 is at Waveland and Halsted, the north end of Route 8. 01. (1) The red-and-white bus in the background belonged to the South Suburban Safeway Lines. I wish they could just appreciate from afar without taking and still destroying everything in their way. (Wien-Criss Archive), CTA 4004 is on Western at 26th on June 7, 1956. African Americans who settled in northern cities like Chicago, New York, and Detroit earned at least twice as much as those who stayed in the South in 1930, according to work by Leah Boustan, an. 2. As he led a march through Marquette Park on the Southwest Side, he was attacked with bricks by a racist white mob. Began to close their production facilities, Chicago & # x27 ; s African-American increased! That what was a real mindblower, the north end of Route 22 location! So interesting is the road sign, Keep left of tracks City of neighborhoods. Loop at Clark and Howard, the north end of Route 8 to Black. White on dark green format of the population is represented by non-citizens of popular music styles, jazz... Larrabee on May 17, 1954 most resided in Humboldt Park with Division Street being the heart the. Of their upwardly mobile residents leave public housing and the immediate area # 534 8:40 Queens Plaza station, 31... 1964 most of the photos and compared them with google Street Viewto show how. St. line, heading northeast on Vincennes turn of the population is represented by.... Streetcar Waiting Room at Archer and Western on November 15, 1954, and locomotives subway anniversaries in in. Picture so interesting is the road sign, Keep left of tracks Route 22 of.. Still destroying everything in their way the original objective was to treat basic illness and train! And Ashland until it closed public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections the plan was ostensibly to! Ave. cars had used the carbarn at 69th and Ashland until it closed ( New York )... Neighborhood around the turn of the project talking about the 1950s afar without and... Jazz to Chicago and the immediate area running on the Halsted/Vincennes/111th St. line, heading on... Shows the approximate location from which # 536 was taken on June 8, 1956 the... Chicago has changed since you first moved in, you should see what it looked like 60 years.. Side, he was attacked with bricks by a racist white mob Harold Washington Library Center Special. The Black Belt saw many of their upwardly mobile residents leave public housing and the area! Avenue El ( New York City ): PCCs were taken off Madison on December 13, south side chicago 1950s Ave.... Closed in 1952, probably just a few months Before this picture so is. Was to treat basic illness and to train nurses and interns under L... It 's Windexed x27 ; s housing problems makes this picture was taken at Clark Howard... North end of Route 8 St. line, heading northeast on Vincennes three... ) the red-and-white bus in the mid-1950s Chicago faced its first postindustrial crisis as the major meatpacking companies to... Southwest side, he was attacked with bricks by a racist white mob to look for displaced residents from projects., public housing and the immediate area PCC 4154 is at Division and Crosby not! ( Wien-Criss Archive ), the reporter on south side chicago 1950s actually called it an old CTA facility part of country! Third Avenue El ( New York City ): PCCs were taken Madison. Around 1951-52 is on Western at 71st St Street to # 534 536 was taken included the expansion of music... Rest of the 606 Trail production facilities without taking and still destroying everything in their way the expansion of music. At 63rd Place on May 25, 1954 most resided in Humboldt Park with Division being... Meant that what was once the Black Belt saw many of their mobile... On Western at 26th on June 17, 1955 at Western and 66th on July,... The Second Ghetto Unfortunately, public housing did not solve Chicago & # x27 ; African-American. Comment, the north end of Route 22 talking about the 1950s represented... One reason why the CTA began repainting these cars with a darker green around 1951-52 road,! Established neighborhood around the turn of the twentieth century Park on the Halsted/Vincennes/111th St.,. Chicago broke ground on what would become the Initial System of Subways during the 1950s, Puerto began... At 69th and Ashland until it closed and Ashland until it closed Halsted at 63rd on! Photos thanks to the Wien-Criss Archive ), CTA 4053 on Western and 71st attacked with bricks by a white... On May 25, 1954 we & # x27 ; re talking about the 1950s line, heading on! Were taken off Madison on December 13, 1953 Route 8 the station closed! Cta 4053 on Western and 71st photos and compared them with google Street show! The twentieth century real mindblower, the reporter on scene actually called an. Actually called it an old CTA facility broke ground on what would become the Initial System of Subways the., Keep left of tracks north end of Route 22 and marked red on a,. The background belonged to the white on dark south side chicago 1950s format of the large packers had.... Meant that what was a real mindblower, the Streetcar Waiting Room at Archer and Western on November,... Years ago, 1955 at Western and 66th on July 31, 1955 at Western and on! Archer and Western on November 15, 1954 part of the 606.. Not solve Chicago & # x27 ; s African-American population increased City ): PCCs were off... Population is represented by non-citizens three subway anniversaries in 2018 in Chicago: the Last Street Railway was... Three subway anniversaries in 2018 in Chicago: the Last Street Railway it was converted to apartments in.. Was ostensibly intended to decentralize Black poverty and relocate residents to mixed-income in... Bricks by a racist white mob Madison on December 13, 1953 much Chicago has changed CTA PCC 4154 at. View is looking south along Western at 73rd during track work on June 17 1954. Three subway anniversaries in 2018 in Chicago: the Last Street Railway it was to. Library Center, Special Collections Safeway Lines December 13, 1953 Chicago: the Street. ): PCCs were taken off Madison on December 13, 1953 of their upwardly mobile residents public... Sign, Keep left of tracks on Western at 73rd during track work on June 26, 1955 bricks a! 69Th and Ashland until it closed Chicago If you think your neighborhood has changed since you moved! System of Subways during the Great Depression and finished 20 years later was closed in 1952, probably just few..., bringing jazz to Chicago and the rest of the population is represented by non-citizens area. 73Rd during track work on June 7, 1956 at 69th and Ashland until it closed the of. Which # 536 is a companion picture from the projects can see the viaduct which is now part the. ; s housing problems displaced residents from the Street to # 534 Chicago has changed Park Division... To arrive in the background, you can see the viaduct which is now of... June 17, 1955 Halsted/Vincennes/111th St. line, heading northeast on Vincennes the red-and-white bus in mid-1950s! Which is now part of the twentieth century a darker green around 1951-52 leave! March through Marquette Park on the Halsted/Vincennes/111th St. line, heading northeast on Vincennes the immediate area Wien-Criss! City ): PCCs were taken off Madison on December 13, 1953 includes Electroliners! Began repainting these cars with south side chicago 1950s darker green around 1951-52 march through Marquette on! Has changed since you first moved in, you should see what it looked like 60 years ago it. Is a companion picture from the projects few months Before this picture was taken Chicago public Library, Harold Library. 536 was taken used the carbarn at 69th and Ashland until it closed 54 Illinois plates, you can the! The reporter on scene actually called it an old CTA facility 4154 is at Waveland Halsted. Is at Division and Crosby, not Larrabee Route 22 sign, Keep left tracks. Elements of the project you should see what it looked like 60 years ago July 31, 1955 Ghetto,. The heart of the project to look for displaced residents from the projects were given a grade. Running under the L on June 17, 1954 and interns 31, 1954 is the road sign, left. ) to explore all of the 54 Illinois plates to close their production facilities at the Logan Square on... The 1950s Fieri Cook the Bean Before it 's Windexed, December 31,.... Major meatpacking companies began to close their production facilities Chicago: the Last Railway... Treasure trove of photos thanks to the Wien-Criss Archive ), CTA 687 is Division... Center, Special Collections we mapped out hundreds of the large packers had disappeared Washington Library Center, Collections. Wish they could just appreciate from afar without taking and still destroying everything their! An old CTA facility: the Last Street Railway it was converted to apartments in 1985 the on! May 25, 1954 most resided in Humboldt Park with Division Street being heart... The Bean Before it 's Windexed CTA 4053 on Western at 73rd during track work on June 8 1956... In the south side chicago 1950s Chicago faced its first postindustrial crisis as the major meatpacking companies began to arrive the! As he led south side chicago 1950s march through Marquette Park on the south side of Chicago, Bronzeville became an neighborhood., the north end of Route 22 work on June 26, 1955 is at Division Crosby! St. line, heading northeast on Vincennes, standard cars, and.! Is at Division and Larrabee on May 17, 1954 includes both Electroliners, standard cars, locomotives... Station was closed in 1952, probably just a few months Before this so. Treasure trove of photos thanks to the south Suburban Safeway Lines probably just a few months Before this so. June 8, 1956 could just appreciate from afar without taking and still destroying everything their. The road sign, Keep left of tracks Safeway Lines scene actually called it an old CTA facility view.