Chicago has always been a very lively place
Chicago has not always been as lively as it is today! Chicago's beginning started when trade routes began through Chicago. Due to the Chicago River, Chicago could trade much easier. Not only did trade increase in the city, but during the Industrial Revolution factories were built. This drew more people to the city due to the new jobs. New jobs were the main pull factor for people migrating to Chicago. Over the years, Chicago built itself up from the bottom and is now one of the most beautiful cities. Most ethnic groups have occupied a residence in Chicago at some point, that is why little ethnic towns are scattered throughout the city. Chinatown and Little Italy are just two examples!
Greater Grand Crossing is an area on the south side of Chicago. It's about 70 blocks or 8.75 miles away from the loop. The loop is the central business district of Chicago. Many companies have buildings or shops down there. Even the annual marathon's start and finish line is in the loop. Contrary to the loop, Greater Grand Crossing has a very different ambiance. There were many events that led up to the way my neighborhood feels.
Let's travel back in time to the beginning of this area.
Development of Greater Grand Crossing began in about 1853 after a tragedy. There was a train accident that had killed 18 people and injured about 40. The railroads back then were very confusing and it was dangerous for trains to come through. Unfortunately, this train crashed at 75th and South Chicago! You can go to this exact location and you will be standing where the train crashed. This happened right where extra tracks had been inserted by Mason, he was to become Chicago's new mayor. After the accident, trains have to make a complete stop at this part of the track. These tracks are still up and used today! After this, developers thought this was their opportunity to create a new neighborhood on the southern outskirts of the city.
Early settlers in this area were English, Irish, and Scottish. They lived just south of the Oakwoods Cemetery which is still an active cemetery today! After the English, Irish, and Scottish moved in, the Germans followed. They built cottages, which you may still be able to see today! After 1893, a lot of new development happened in the GGC area. New and more train tracks were built; what we now call the redline started at 63rd street going south. Then, in the 50's, a public housing project began. There was a closed down amusement park, which developers found to be a great site factor. They tore down the amusement park and started creating the Parkway Gardens. The great situation factor was that there were enough people to move into and inhabit the Parkway Gardens. These projects are still up on Martin Luther King drive from about 63rd to 65th street! Isn't it amazing how all these historic places are still alive today?
In the 1930's, large groups of African Americans had moved in along with some Italians. From 1950-1960, the African American population had increased to 86% from 6%. Imagine seeing your neighborhood almost completely change its racial makeup in ten years! This large change was due to white flight. White flight is when white people flee from neighborhoods mainly due to blockbusting. This causes whites to flee from an area and sell their property for cheap prices out of fear of an economic crisis. During blockbusting, the idea of certain races crowding an area also stimulates fear in a person. This real estate strategy used to be commonly used; it is currently illegal.
Greater Grand Crossing was never a very cozy neighborhood. There was more industry before than today. Today, many people live below the poverty line and cannot find jobs easily. When and if they do, the jobs are far away and require a commute. Since most industries have left Chicago, many of them have left G.G.C. When people cannot find jobs, they migrate to different locations. G.G.C. is full of vacant buildings because people find it hard to maintain their lives in this area economically.
Living in this area is very interesting because there are so many old things that are still up now. You can come through this area and see the Parkway Gardens, the railroad where the big train crash happened, old railroads that were built in the early 1900's, and old buildings made by ethnic groups who left GGC. Isn't it amazing?
Did you know Greater Grand Crossing was called "Grand Crossing" because of the large train crass that happened a couple hundred years ago?
Sources include:
Chicago has not always been as lively as it is today! Chicago's beginning started when trade routes began through Chicago. Due to the Chicago River, Chicago could trade much easier. Not only did trade increase in the city, but during the Industrial Revolution factories were built. This drew more people to the city due to the new jobs. New jobs were the main pull factor for people migrating to Chicago. Over the years, Chicago built itself up from the bottom and is now one of the most beautiful cities. Most ethnic groups have occupied a residence in Chicago at some point, that is why little ethnic towns are scattered throughout the city. Chinatown and Little Italy are just two examples!
Greater Grand Crossing is an area on the south side of Chicago. It's about 70 blocks or 8.75 miles away from the loop. The loop is the central business district of Chicago. Many companies have buildings or shops down there. Even the annual marathon's start and finish line is in the loop. Contrary to the loop, Greater Grand Crossing has a very different ambiance. There were many events that led up to the way my neighborhood feels.
Let's travel back in time to the beginning of this area.
Development of Greater Grand Crossing began in about 1853 after a tragedy. There was a train accident that had killed 18 people and injured about 40. The railroads back then were very confusing and it was dangerous for trains to come through. Unfortunately, this train crashed at 75th and South Chicago! You can go to this exact location and you will be standing where the train crashed. This happened right where extra tracks had been inserted by Mason, he was to become Chicago's new mayor. After the accident, trains have to make a complete stop at this part of the track. These tracks are still up and used today! After this, developers thought this was their opportunity to create a new neighborhood on the southern outskirts of the city.
Early settlers in this area were English, Irish, and Scottish. They lived just south of the Oakwoods Cemetery which is still an active cemetery today! After the English, Irish, and Scottish moved in, the Germans followed. They built cottages, which you may still be able to see today! After 1893, a lot of new development happened in the GGC area. New and more train tracks were built; what we now call the redline started at 63rd street going south. Then, in the 50's, a public housing project began. There was a closed down amusement park, which developers found to be a great site factor. They tore down the amusement park and started creating the Parkway Gardens. The great situation factor was that there were enough people to move into and inhabit the Parkway Gardens. These projects are still up on Martin Luther King drive from about 63rd to 65th street! Isn't it amazing how all these historic places are still alive today?
In the 1930's, large groups of African Americans had moved in along with some Italians. From 1950-1960, the African American population had increased to 86% from 6%. Imagine seeing your neighborhood almost completely change its racial makeup in ten years! This large change was due to white flight. White flight is when white people flee from neighborhoods mainly due to blockbusting. This causes whites to flee from an area and sell their property for cheap prices out of fear of an economic crisis. During blockbusting, the idea of certain races crowding an area also stimulates fear in a person. This real estate strategy used to be commonly used; it is currently illegal.
Greater Grand Crossing was never a very cozy neighborhood. There was more industry before than today. Today, many people live below the poverty line and cannot find jobs easily. When and if they do, the jobs are far away and require a commute. Since most industries have left Chicago, many of them have left G.G.C. When people cannot find jobs, they migrate to different locations. G.G.C. is full of vacant buildings because people find it hard to maintain their lives in this area economically.
Living in this area is very interesting because there are so many old things that are still up now. You can come through this area and see the Parkway Gardens, the railroad where the big train crash happened, old railroads that were built in the early 1900's, and old buildings made by ethnic groups who left GGC. Isn't it amazing?
Did you know Greater Grand Crossing was called "Grand Crossing" because of the large train crass that happened a couple hundred years ago?
Sources include: