Wicker Park is a neighborhood located in northwest Chicago. It has a population of around 25,000 people and is known for its diverse mix of residents and array of small businesses including art galleries, cafes, and furniture stores. The neighborhood has experienced cycles of growth, decline, and revitalization over its history dating back to the mid-1800s. Today, Wicker Park remains a vibrant area attracting visitors and new residents to explore its unique character and culture separate yet connected to the larger city of Chicago.

1. Wicker Park
Paulette, Z, Margarita, Dalton

3. Location
• Wicker Park is located on northwest side of the loop
• Western neighborhood of Chicago
• South of Bucktown

4. Transportation
There:
1. Take red line train from Loyola station to North/Clybourn
2. Take bus #72 and get off at Wicker Park
Back:
1. Take bus #70 and get off at Clark/Division
2. Take red line from Clark/Division to Loyola
However, there are many, many other routes to Wicker Park.

5. History
Incorporated as a city of Chicago in 1837.
Industry first came in 1857 when the Rolling Mill Steel Works opened along the river near Ashland and
Armitage.
Irish community settled in that area providing the major source of labor for the mill, then Germans and
Norwegians, later Jews
Clothing, furniture, musical instrument, art galleries, and cafes form part of the community
There is a diverse mix of ethnic and economic residents
mid 1800s through 1929 was the establishment and growth period
1930 to approximately 1975 was a steady, slow decline culminating in a depressed community
A slow rebirth followed by an explosion of development and progress that continues today

6. Demographics
Area: 0.958 square miles
Population: 25,008
.

7. Paulette’s Reflection
I moved to the Chicago suburbs from Arizona about
seven years ago. Being from a small border town I
had never seen a big city like Chicago. For years I
spent my free time downtown being a tourist seeing
all the sights and eating at all the restaurants. This
project taught me that there’s more to Chicago than
just “Chicago”. Little towns surround the area and
offer a look into different cultures and lifestyles.
Going to Wicker Park encouraged me to continue
exploring the other neighborhoods. I’ve noticed that
each one differs in its people and the vibe I get as I
walk down the streets.

8. Z’s Reflection
Living in the West Suburbs visiting Chicago is a frequent
hobby; as such I decided to let my group decide where
they would want to visit. Luckily they chose a
community that I haven’t visited before and I was
amazed to see the beauty of it. Wicker Park was a
wonderful example of Chicago as it revealed the beauty
of the city. Standing at North Ave. one gets a clear view
of the Chicago Skyline while still captivated by the
design and set up of Wicker Park. It consisted of
multiple shops and stores side by side with apartment
complexes. This all funneled off into a gorgeous park,
from which the community is named after. Waiting for
the bus at Division St. one gets a clear view of the
bustle of the City, as cars rushed by and traffic seemed
endless. Wicker Park was a wonderful experience and
provided a clear view of Chicago as a city.

9. Margarita’s Reflection The Connections to Community project was
undoubtedly a fantastic experience. Being able to take
some time off from the stresses of working on the
Honors paper to get to know three awesome
individuals and to explore a neighborhood of Chicago
was great (and we were able to use the excuse that it
was for academics)! Wicker Park was quite a ways away
from Loyola’s campus, so having this project as
incentive to explore such an interesting neighborhood
opened my eyes to the fact that making the trip is often
worth it! Exploring the different neighborhoods of
Chicago has enlightened me to the fact that no two
parts of the city are the same. Often times I think of
Chicago and only think of the skyscrapers and business
of downtown. The atmosphere in Wicker Park was
extremely different; there’s intricate art everywhere
you look, and the streets are filled with cool little thrift
stores and restaurants. As I admired the witty signs
outside of shops attempting to compel people to stop
in, I promised myself that I would definitely not make
this the last time I visited Wicker Park.

10. Dalton’s Reflection Being from Texas, it was easy to see Chicago as one little,
perfect, tied-up in a bow, city. Since moving here, that picture
began to crack. Upon going out to Wicker Park with my group,
the picture shattered. It is more than awe invoking to see
individual neighborhoods operating separate from, yet still
interconnected to the rest of the city. This is very much
different than Texas – everything is more conglomerated and
identifies as such. Suburbs of Dallas simply identify as “Dallas,”
not their individual selves. It is inspiring to see neighborhoods
here embracing their culture and what sets them apart from
the rest. It is nice to see a bit of pride going about. The trip to
Wicker Park could not have been a better “Chicago
Experience.” It is almost if it is a slice of what Chicago is all
about – embracing differences while embracing each other. It
was interesting to see the differences between our home
Roger’s Park and another neighborhood. There are still shops,
restaurants, and people, yet there is this different atmosphere,
an aura in a sense. Even so, when you look up at the skyline, it
is still our own Chicago. That is amazing to me. Seeing Wicker
Park and its winsome attributes brought me back to why I love
finally living in a city – there are real people doing real things
that bring them together.

11. Citations
• Wicker Park Bucktown. Chicago Website Development: Chicago
Digital And Website Design: Marian Williams Design. Web.
October 19, 2014. http://www.wickerparkbucktown.com/the-neighborhood/
history
• Chicago Transit Authority. Web. October 19, 2014.
http://www.transitchicago.com/redline/
• Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois (IL), 60622, 60647
detailed profile. City-Data. 2011. Web. October 19, 2014.
http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Wicker-Park-Chicago-
IL.html