Englewood, Chicago: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Englewood 1908 soccer team.jpg|thumb|300| |
[[Image:Englewood 1908 soccer team.jpg|thumb|300|Soccer team 1908]] |
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[[Image:Englewood-shopping-center-chicago.jpg|thumb|450|Shopping Center, circa 1974]] |
[[Image:Englewood-shopping-center-chicago.jpg|thumb|450|Shopping Center, circa 1974]] |
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[[Image:Englewood-mall-1976.jpg|thumb|450|Mall Beautification Program Kick-off, 1976]] |
[[Image:Englewood-mall-1976.jpg|thumb|450|Mall Beautification Program Kick-off, 1976]] |
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==The Future== |
==The Future== |
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Many believe that the area is still in [http://whgbetc.com/englewood/englewood-why-chirep.html dire need of improvement]. The infrastructure is crumbling |
Many believe that the area is still in [http://whgbetc.com/englewood/englewood-why-chirep.html dire need of improvement]. The infrastructure is crumbling and there is a decided lack of medical care available. [http://qrc.depaul.edu/djabon/Articles/ChicagoCrime20030101.htm Crime] is still among the highest in the country. The railroad junction at Englewood, where Metra (the former Rock Island) crosses Norfolk Southern (the former Pennsylvania) has long been a cause of delay. In March 2010 a $133 million reconstruction project was announced which would improve operations. |
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==Attempts For Change== |
==Attempts For Change== |
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Revision as of 22:10, 25 April 2010
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2009) |
Englewood | |
|---|---|
| Community Area 68 - Englewood | |
| Location within the city of Chicago Location within the city of Chicago | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Cook |
| City | Chicago |
| Neighborhoods | list
|
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.09 sq mi (8.00 km2) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 40,222 |
| • Density | 13,000/sq mi (5,000/km2) |
| population down 15.0% from 1990 | |
| Demographics | |
| • White | 0.44% |
| • Black | 97.8% |
| • Hispanic | 0.86% |
| • Asian | 0.07% |
| • Other | 0.79% |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes | part of 60621 |
| Median income | $18,955 |
| Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services | |
Englewood is one of the 77 official community areas of Chicago and has a population of approximately 40,000 inhabitants. Englewood is bordered by 55th Street on the north and by 75th Street on the south. Both the CTA Red Line and Green Line run through Englewood, as well as the Dan Ryan Expressway. It is located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. Englewood was once known as "Junction Grove"
History of Englewood
The original inhabitants of what is now Englewood were Mascouten Indians. The land was swampy. In 1840, Englewood was officially documented as habitable land to the United States Government Land Office in Chicago. In the 1850s and 1860s, as Chicago was becoming a city of railroad tracks and economic prosperity, Englewood was just another supporting neighborhood. But in 1871, when the Great Chicago Fire destroyed a large portion of Chicago, residents moved to the outskirts. Englewood's railroad connections to downtown Chicago made it a convenient location, and the neighborhood's population grew rapidly. Englewood Station once served many railroad passengers; at one point over 1,000 trains would pass through Englewood every day in 1889.
Englewood was the home of Dr. H. H. Holmes, one of the first published murderers in America. His hotel located at Wallace and 63rd streets was the scene of most of his crimes. His story is featured in the best selling book "Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson.
Englewood Shopping District
The Englewood community[1] was largely defined by the Englewood Shopping Center, (63rd & Halsted) a large pedestrian mall. The City, social services, and mall management worked with community leaders and groups to integrate the mall with the community. The goal was to make the mall a vital part of the community, and a central part of everyday life. It was the site of numerous community events, parades, outdoor concerts, live radio broadcasts and the like. This was spearheaded by the Englewood Business Men's Association and its Director, Richard Drew. Mr. Drew died in 1978, and with his passing the Association lost its community focus.
Kennedy-King College
In 1999, this 30 year decline was finally addressed, when Mayor Richard M. Daley announced a $256 million revitalization plan for the area. The keystone of the program is the relocation of Kennedy-King College to the former site of the Englewood Shopping Center. Shortly thereafter the city began an aggressive buyout and relocation program for mall merchants. The campus includes the Washburne Culinary Institute.[2]
Groundbreaking for the new location occurred on November 9, 2005. This marked the end of an era for the community, and the beginning of what many hope will be a rebirth. The 40-acre (160,000 m2) campus opened in 2007. One immediate result were skyrocketing property values. What many considered a blighted community was suddenly a hot spot. Some homes that were impossible to sell 10 years ago for next to nothing, are now selling for over $200,000.
The Future
Many believe that the area is still in dire need of improvement. The infrastructure is crumbling and there is a decided lack of medical care available. Crime is still among the highest in the country. The railroad junction at Englewood, where Metra (the former Rock Island) crosses Norfolk Southern (the former Pennsylvania) has long been a cause of delay. In March 2010 a $133 million reconstruction project was announced which would improve operations.
Attempts For Change
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Since the 81 murders in Englewood, which took place between January and April, 1991, a small group of adults has stepped up to create a safe place for the youth in Englewood. The main goal for this center, named P.E.A.C.E. (People Educating Against Crime In Englewood), is to provide an intermediate place for kids ranging from 8 years of age to 18, focusing on preventing crime and drug abuse by occupying children's time with activities and a loving family-like atmosphere. A square meal is served each day to the children who attend (free of charge), with an emphasis on healthy eating habits. For some of the kids, this is the only full meal they will receive that day. While the PEACE center attempts to subvert crime, its facilities are lacking. With a full gym and theatre on the second level, PEACE has great potential, but the lack of community generated funds prevents the improvement efforts.
Education
Chicago Public Schools operates public schools. Paul Robeson High School is in Englewood.[3][4] The community is also home to the nation's first all-boys public charter high school, Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men, Englewood Campus.
Notes
- ^ "Brief History of Englewood". chicagoreporter.com. 2009-07-12.
- ^ "Washburne Culinary Institute Homepage". Retrieved 2010-01-02.
- ^ "contact." Paul Robeson High School. Retrieved on Retrieved on October 21, 2009.
- ^ Hartman, Krystin. "Why Did 1 In 7 Girls Get Pregnant At Robeson High?." CBS 2 Chicago. October 15, 2009. Retrieved on October 21, 2009.
External links
- Official City of Chicago Englewood Community Map
- Englewood Map during the 1920s-1930s
- Team Englewood Non-Profit Group
- New security measures
- Crime Study
- Chicago Housing Website, Englewood area
- History of the Englewood "L"
- Kennedy King College Architects
- History of Englewood from Jazz Age Chicago
- Chicago murder rate
- Area crime rates, updated daily
- Book about Englewood
Places adjacent to Englewood, Chicago | |
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