If you don’t know much about South Shore‘s history, you might be surprised to learn that a neighborhood native like Jeff Heilbrunn had never been inside the walls of the old South Shore Country Club until last week. That’s because for seven decades, the club was closed to both African-Americans and Jews.
Today, the golf course, tennis courses, and other facilities at the rechristened South Shore Cultural Center are a part of the city’s park system and open to the public. Early in our tour through South Shore, Jeff and I took a quick trip through the center’s entrance and around its main drive so that he could have a closer look at the center’s old clubhouse.
Near the end of the video, Jeff talks about the little “ghetto” he once called home — a four-block by four-block area now known as “Terror Town.” You’ll see and hear more about those streets in videos later this week.
I’m really getting a kick out of seeing more coverage of South Shore. I really like Heilbrunn’s take on the South Shore of old.
If there area could change for the better I just wonder what could drive the changes. I hear a lot about the access to downtown with LSD, express buses, and the Metra Electric.
The housing is decent with condos, apartments, mansions and bungalows. Don’t know a lot about the retail or how vibrant it is, but who knows in a few years there could be a big box that could come that way.
I suppose the next step is ameneties. I’m very glad you guys drove through that park which is certainly an enviable amenity.
Levois,
South Shore, like so many Chicago neighborhoods, needs families to thrive. And families need good schools to attract them.
What’s your take on South Shore’s public schools?
I can’t say that I know enough about the schools on South Shore as far as academics go. Just wish I was much faster on the draw in mentioning schools. Those are the amenities that will attract families back to Chicago’s neighborhoods.
It might me easy for me to say that schools in South Shore have about the same issues affect many of the struggling schools around the city.
What I can say about the schools in South Shore is that we might see in a later segment that they’re building a new South Shore high school in a park on 75th and Jeffrey. Also along Jeffrey you will see that parents may have their pick as to where to send their children to Elementary School.
You can go as far south as 93rd Street to pick an elementary school perhaps only as far north as say 76th Street.
What might make the new South Shore High School a successful school may be the programs that they may provide. If it’s just another high school with nothing extra to provide for the students then I can only wonder what’s the point of building a new school.
I can’t speak to the quality of South Shore’s schools — I’ll leave that to Levois — but my tour with Jeff took us past the new South Shore High School, which is going up in the 7500 block of South Jeffrey Boulevard. You’ll see it in one of these videos at some point or another.
EDIT: Levois is too fast for me!
Just watched the video, and found this video from the Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club‘s (a/k/a the “Black Cowboys”) 20th anniversary rodeo, which was held at South Shore.
I met up with the group in Washington Park one morning a while back and shot some photos that you can see at Flickr. If my memory is correct Sean Penn occasionally showed up to ride with the club.
A few snapshots of a South Side experience that’s much richer than most North Siders imagine.
Two things to remember about the South Shore Country Club.
First, it was prominently featured in the “Blues Brothers”.
Second, President Obama and Mrs President had their wedding reception there.
I’ve never been inside it, but the grounds and building are beautiful.
It’s been about two years since I’ve been in South Shore, but the housing stock is mostly still intact or “renovateable”. Beautiful older buildings.
Jackson Park is great although a bit worn in spots. The Park District needs to replace some sidewalks near the pond network.
I have no use for golfing, but the golf course is a great amenity as is the pirate friendly marina.
As for big box retail coming I wouldn’t hold my breath. At least in terms of a WalMart. Our glorious and brave Mayor apparently has no intention to face down the unions and the aldercritters have less spine than him.
Nope, Walmart will continue to operate in Calumet Park, Evergreen Park, and ring the city of Chicago. The scourge of property taxes and sales taxes must be kept out of the city coffers to please the unions. Meanwhile black and hispanic folks on the south and west sides will have to travel far to do their shopping.
It’s 3:30 in the AM. I’m feeling extra sarcastic at the moment.
Well Wal-Mart isn’t the only option of course. 😛
Just indicating they need more retail in that area. It could be a Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy or even a Home Depot. Important if they want to rehab those nice homes over there.
There is a proposed Target (very speculative) just west of Hyde Park. At least Moo & Oink, Jewel and Dominick’s are readily available in SS.
Sheridan B,
If we’re talking about the “proposed Target” just west of Washington Park, my understanding is it’s imaginary / wishful thinking rather than speculative.
Yes, we are, and yes, I agree it’s wishful thinking (like a Trader Joe’s in Edgewater).