Category: Chicago history
Historical information about Chicago, its neighborhoods and its housing.
Pilsen — there were trees here once, just passing through
It's hard to imagine, but the Pilsen wasteland partially occupied by the Fisk generating plant, above, was once the heart of Chicago's "lumber distr [...]
Reflections on Archer Avenue, or "Archey Road"
As Mr Dooley might have once said, Archer Avenue is the life blood, the anchor of Chicago's Southwest side. Actually, the fictional saloon keeper of " [...]
A Pilsen primer: more than 300 years in a nutshell
To really enjoy Pilsen week at YoChicago, we suggest brushing up on the colorful history of the area. Check out this history of Pilsen for an overview [...]
Coming soon to South Loop: new Blackstone hotel
The Yo spent lunch with the Friends of Downtown at its monthly "brown bag luncheon," where we were treated to a sneak peek at plans for the renovate [...]
Hark! The heralder speaks of One River Place
I stumbled upon this well-known sight as I was trudging through River North the other day. The combination of this heralder and the smell of chocolate [...]
Will River North's old motels give way to high-rises?
Now that River North is going all "Gold Coast South" perhaps it's only a matter of time before these old-school motels and hotels give way to reside [...]
At Bucktown building, yesterday's butcher shop and coach house are today's rental lofts
Never let it be said that Chicago isn't the city of reinvention. This building, at 2129 N Hoyne Ave, was constructed in the 1890s and over the years h [...]
Manchester Lofts – Heaven is living between a wine bar and a neighborhood bar
Yo's truly often walks past the Manchester Lofts, 2035 W Charleston St, and wonders about the 18-unit building's history. We thought it was a forme [...]
Sad fate of South Side's Raber House
Hard to believe that this Italianate South Side home (photo by a daring Val Zekas) was once the pride and joy of a member of Chicago's elite. This h [...]
I'll take Manhattan – the South Loop loft development, that is
Everything is just bigger and better in Manhattan, isn't it? Ripped from the musty archives of New Homes Magazine is this interesting piece of informa [...]
A walk in Millennium Park: Ever wish you bought a condo around there?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, of course, but does anyone else regret not buying a condo with kick-ass views in the Loop two or three years ago? Or [...]
Film Exchange Lofts Web site is reel interesting
We talked yesterday about loft developers who don't appreciate the history of their buildings, and that's something that can't be said for the develop [...]
Wanted: 20k to restore historic Waukegan cottage
The Waukegan Historical Society is looking for someone to rescue a 93-year-old cottage that was financed by famous philanthropist Julius Rosenwald as [...]
New York Times talks to Chicago preservationists about "death by condo"
The New York Times ran a story yesterday about how Chicago preservationists lament the death of historic neighborhood architecture in the face of all [...]
George M Harvey House – arson, neglect or what?
Did someone torch this Louis Sullivan-designed home at 600 W Stratford Place on Saturday afternoon? A demolition crew was scoping out the three-story [...]
Art reflects life and perhaps inspires homeowners at The Franklin Building
Loft lovers get a little art history thrown into the mix at The Franklin Building, 720 S Dearborn St. Back in the day, artist Oskar Gross created a s [...]
Millennium Park Lofts was a Woolworth store
YoChicago reader Devyn reports that Millennium Park Lofts (formerly known as 20 N State) was built in 1928 and once housed a Woolworth store on the gr [...]
The Lofts at The Vic – home to the Rationing Board during World War II
Thanks to all of you who emailed me with details about various loft developments across the city. Homebuyers at The Lofts at The Vic, at Belmont and [...]
South Loop history: saving the Wheeler Mansion
Yo took advantage of the unseasonable weather yesterday to take a long, casual stroll around the South Loop. When we popped over to the intersection [...]
Tour Oak Park's grandest private mansion
The Hales House, a 21-room Tudor-revival at the corner of Oak Park and Chicago Avenues will be open Saturday, September 23, from 10 to 3, for the bene [...]