Jefferson Park, Chicago

Last updated
Jefferson Park
Community area
Community Area 11 - Jefferson Park
Jefferson Park Bus Hub.jpg
Monument of Thomas Jefferson in front of the Jefferson Park Transit Center
Nickname: 
Jeff Park
US-IL-Chicago-CA11.svg
Location within the city of Chicago
Coordinates: 41°58.8′N87°46.2′W / 41.9800°N 87.7700°W / 41.9800; -87.7700
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
County Cook
CityChicago
Neighborhoods
list
Area
 • Total2.35 sq mi (6.09 km2)
Population
 (2020) [1]
 • Total26,216
 • Density11,000/sq mi (4,300/km2)
Demographics 2018 [1]
 •  White 61.31%
 • Black1.10%
 • Hispanic24.69%
 • Asian10.34%
 • Other2.57%
Educational Attainment 2018 [1]
 • High School Diploma or Higher89.54%
 • Bachelor's Degree or Higher36.41%
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
parts of 60630, 60646
Median household income 2018 [1] $76,054
Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services

Jefferson Park is one of the 77 community areas of Chicago, located on the northwest side of the city. The neighborhood of Jefferson Park occupies a larger swath of territory. [2]

Contents

Jefferson Park is bordered by the community areas of Norwood Park to the northwest, Forest Glen to the northeast, Portage Park to the south, and the suburb of Harwood Heights to the west. The Guatemalan consulate is located in Jefferson Park at 5559 North Elston Avenue. [3]

History

Settlement in the vicinity of Jefferson Park began in the 1830s with John Kinzie Clark and Elijah Wentworth, whose claim was near what is now the Jefferson Park Metra Station, where he operated a tavern and inn. The tiny settlement of traders, hunters, and farmers consisted of simple one and two room log cabins until Abram Gale, for whom Gale Street is named, built the first frame house in Jefferson. Jefferson Park became the hub of an independent township that was incorporated at the nearby Dickinson Tavern as Jefferson Township in 1850 until annexed by the city of Chicago in 1889. The area was once home to a significant population of Volga Germans, and one of the area's one time local landmarks was a local apartment building in the vicinity of the park along Higgins Avenue known by locals as "the Russian Hotel".[ citation needed ]

Jefferson Park is also home to the Northwest Chicago Historical Society which is dedicated to preserve the area's rich history as well as most historical events and lectures.

On January 21, 2021 a Boutique Air Pilatus PC-12 was landing at the Chicago O'Hare Airport when its left main tire separated from the aircraft and landed in Jefferson Park. Police reported the tire, along with several small parts were found on a sidewalk near Leland Avenue. The tire hit two houses before coming to a rest on the sidewalk. [4]

Jefferson Park (Chicago Park District)

The Chicago Park District's Jefferson Park, with a view of the field house designed by Clarence Hatzfeld Jefferson Park in Chicago.JPG
The Chicago Park District's Jefferson Park, with a view of the field house designed by Clarence Hatzfeld

Jefferson Park is a 7-acre (28,000 m2) park operated by the Chicago Park District. The park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places is located on the site of the Esdohr Farm.

Education

Jefferson Park residents are served by Chicago Public Schools, which includes neighborhood and citywide options for students. There are also a number of private parochial schools run by Roman Catholic and Lutheran congregations in the area. The Chicago Public Library operates the Jefferson Park branch for neighborhood residents.

Politics

The Jefferson Park community area has supported the Democratic Party in the past two presidential elections. In the 2016 presidential election, Jefferson Park cast 6,693 votes for Hillary Clinton and cast 3,490 votes for Donald Trump (62.65% to 32.67%). [5] In the 2012 presidential election, Jefferson Park cast 6,019 votes for Barack Obama and cast 3,129 votes for Mitt Romney (64.42% to 33.49%). [6]

Culture

The Copernicus Center, supported by the Copernicus Foundation is located in Jefferson Park. It houses the former Gateway Theater, as well as a number of other event venues and meeting spaces. Copernicus Center Chicago.jpg
The Copernicus Center, supported by the Copernicus Foundation is located in Jefferson Park. It houses the former Gateway Theater, as well as a number of other event venues and meeting spaces.

Jefferson Park is the home of the historic former Gateway Theatre Movie Palace that is now only part of the Copernicus Center. The Copernicus Center and former Gateway Theatre (renamed the Mitchell P Kobelinski theater) still serve the community as a performing arts center, hosting numerous music concerts, theatrical performances, classes, seminars, community meetings, and cultural events throughout the year. The Copernicus Center is also a voting location for Jefferson Park residents. The Copernicus Center "Annex," which includes both an event space and offices, houses the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce office.

Jefferson Park is also home to the award-winning Gift Theatre Company, a professional theatre company located at 4802 N. Milwaukee co-founded by Jeff Park native Michael Patrick Thornton.

The neighborhood holds two large festivals annually: Jeff Fest in June, and Taste of Polonia over Labor Day weekend. Christina Madonna of "Chicago All Stars" fame is a native of Jefferson Park.

The Taste of Polonia has brought some of the nation's most prominent political figures to Jefferson Park to woo the support of Chicago's Polish community. President George H. W. Bush hosted the festival in 1992 and in 2000, future Vice-President Dick Cheney as well as Tipper Gore, and Hadassah Lieberman made an appearance. [7] Vice-President Cheney's presence was particularly notorious with coverage in The New York Times of his lively antics which included dancing the polka, serving attendees kielbasa with stuffed cabbage and addressing a cheering crowd by shouting the Polish phrase Sto Lat. [8]

Transportation

Jefferson Park Transit Center sign Jefferson Park Sign.JPG
Jefferson Park Transit Center sign

Jefferson Park has long been one of Chicago's transportation hubs, earning the neighborhood the nickname as "The Gateway to Chicago". [9] The neighborhood is served by a Blue Line station in the median of the Kennedy Expressway at the intersection of Milwaukee and Gale Street, less than three blocks away from the Copernicus Center and the historic Jefferson Park Congregational Church. The Union Pacific / Northwest Line also provides service to Jefferson Park. In 2005, a monument to Thomas Jefferson was placed along the station's entrance along Milwaukee Avenue.

Neighborhoods

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1930 20,532—
1940 21,5374.9%
1950 23,5569.4%
1960 27,49416.7%
1970 27,5530.2%
1980 24,583−10.8%
1990 23,649−3.8%
2000 25,8599.3%
2010 25,448−1.6%
2020 26,2163.0%
[10] [1]

Jefferson Park

Milwaukee Avenue, just south of Lawrence Polish Pastry shop on Milwaukee Avenue in Jefferson Park, Chicago.jpg
Milwaukee Avenue, just south of Lawrence

Jefferson Park is a predominantly middle-class neighborhood of people coming from a variety of diverse backgrounds. Like many neighborhoods on the Northwest Side of Chicago the neighborhood has a heavy Polish-American presence, and is home to the Copernicus Foundation, the Polish parish of St. Constance, as well as a host of other Polish-American organizations, institutions and businesses.

Jefferson Park is also known for having a very high number of resident city and county workers. The area is filled with the homes of Chicago Public School teachers and staff, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department as well as Cook County Sheriff officers and staff.

Boundaries are Austin Ave, Chicago River, Railway, Elston Ave, Foster Ave, Edens Expy, Cicero Ave, Montrose Ave, Narraganset Ave, Nagle Ave, Bryn Mawr Ave, Northwest Hwy, Milwaukee Ave.

Indian Woods Community

Boundaries are Indian Rd, Central Ave, Ardmore Ave. [11] http://www.indianwoods.org/ Originally part of the Forest Glen Community. Also part of the South Edgebrook Neighborhood.

Gladstone Park

Gladstone Park is a neighborhood in the northern section of the Jefferson Park community area of Chicago. It is centered at the large and confusing intersection of Northwest Highway and Central, Milwaukee, and Foster Avenues. The Kennedy Expressway runs nearby as well and has an entrance from Foster Avenue. The park for which the neighborhood is named is located a few blocks to the northwest between Northwest Highway and Milwaukee, on Menard Avenue.

The numerous examples of homes in the Dutch Colonial style has led to the area's nickname as "Little Rotterdam", an allusion to the Dutch city of Rotterdam.

Gladstone Park has its own stop on the Union Pacific / Northwest Line.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norwood Park, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Norwood Park is one of the 77 Chicago community areas. It encompasses the smaller neighborhoods of Big Oaks, Norwood Park East, Norwood Park West, Old Norwood Park, Oriole Park, and Union Ridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gage Park, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Gage Park is one of Chicago's 77 well-defined community areas, located on the city's southwest side; it is also the name of a park within the neighborhood. Gage Park's population is largely working-class, and its housing stock is mostly bungalows. For generations, the neighborhood was Eastern European and Irish Catholic. The neighborhood remains overwhelmingly Catholic with the addition of many Hispanic residents. Gage Park is bounded by 49th Street to the north, 59th Street to the south, Central Park Ave to the west, and Leavitt Street to the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Square, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Lincoln Square on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois, is one of the city's 77 community areas. It encompasses the smaller neighborhoods of Ravenswood, Ravenswood Gardens, Bowmanville, Budlong Woods, as well as Lincoln Square itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Park, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

North Park is one of 77 well-defined community areas of the City of Chicago. It is bordered by the North Shore Channel on the east, the Chicago River's North Branch and Foster Avenue on the south, Cicero Avenue on the west and Devon Avenue on the north.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Square, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Logan Square is an official community area, historical neighborhood, and public square on the northwest side of the City of Chicago. The Logan Square community area is one of the 77 city-designated community areas established for planning purposes. The Logan Square neighborhood, located within the Logan Square community area, is centered on the public square that serves as its namesake, located at the three-way intersection of Milwaukee Avenue, Logan Boulevard and Kedzie Boulevard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avondale, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Avondale is one of Chicago's 77 officially designated community areas. It is on the Northwest Side of the city. The northern border is Addison Street from the north branch of the Chicago River in the east to Pulaski Road in the west. The neighborhood extends further west along Belmont Avenue to the Union Pacific/Northwest Line. Its southern border is Diversey Avenue from the Union Pacific/Northwest Line to the Chicago River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belmont Cragin, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Belmont Cragin is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located on the Northwest Side of the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is designated Community Area 19, and is located 8 miles (13 km) NW of the Loop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunning, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Dunning is one of 77 officially designated community areas of the city of Chicago, Illinois. Dunning also is a neighborhood located on the Northwest Side of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest Glen, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Forest Glen is one of the 77 official city community areas of Chicago, Illinois, located on the city's Northwest Side. It comprises the neighborhoods of Forest Glen, Edgebrook and Sauganash, with sub-neighborhoods of Sauganash Park, Wildwood, North Edgebrook and Old Edgebrook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hermosa, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Hermosa is one of 77 designated Chicago community areas and is located on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois. The Hermosa community area contains the Kelvyn Park and Hermosa neighborhoods. The area includes the birthplace of Walt Disney and is the former headquarters of the Schwinn Bicycle Company. While being one of the smaller community areas, Hermosa is one of the city's most densely populated neighborhoods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irving Park, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Irving Park is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas, and is located on the Northwest Side. It is bounded by the Chicago River on the east, the Milwaukee Road railroad tracks on the west, Addison Street on the south and Montrose Avenue on the north, west of Pulaski Road stretching to encompass the region between Belmont Avenue on the south and, roughly, Leland Avenue on the north. It is named after the American author Washington Irving.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portage Park, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Portage Park is located on the northwest side of the City of Chicago, Illinois and is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas. Portage Park is bordered by the community areas of Jefferson Park and Forest Glen to the north, Dunning and the suburb of Harwood Heights to the west, Irving Park to the east and Belmont-Cragin to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Pullman, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

West Pullman is a neighborhood located on the far south side of the city of Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the 77 official community areas of Chicago. The Neighborhood of West Pullman was largely inhabited by workers of the Pullman Train Company who were looking to escape the grip of the company town Pullman. The commercial corridor of Kensington/115th Street was one of many Italian communities within Chicago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montclare, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Montclare is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located on the Northwest Side of the City of Chicago, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brighton Park, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Brighton Park is a community area located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. It is number 58 of the 77 community areas of Chicago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clearing, Chicago</span> Community area in Chicago

Clearing, one of the 77 semi-official community areas, is located on the southwest side of the city of Chicago, Illinois. The southern portion of Chicago Midway International Airport is located within this community area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milwaukee Avenue (Chicago)</span> Street in Illinois, United States

North Milwaukee Avenue is a street in the city of Chicago and the northern suburbs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Copernicus Center (Chicago, Illinois)</span>

The Copernicus Center is a 1,852-seat former movie palace that is now part of the Copernicus Center in the Jefferson Park community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The Copernicus Center is located at 5216 W. Lawrence Avenue.

The Taste of Polonia is a Chicago festival held at the Copernicus Cultural and Civic Center in the Jefferson Park community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States every Labor Day weekend since 1980. It is the Copernicus Foundation's major fundraiser and a four-day celebration of Polish cultural heritage, traditions, and customs. The Taste of Polonia features delicious Polish cuisine, entertainment on three stages, as well as numerous Polish handcrafters and artisans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Copernicus Foundation</span> Non-profit organization in Chicago

The Copernicus Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization based in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Community Data Snapshot - Jefferson Park" (PDF). cmap.illinois.gov. MetroPulse. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Map" . Google Maps.
  3. ↑ Sula, Mike (June 20, 2019). "It's not about coffee at Café Antigua". Chicago Reader . Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Tire Falls off Small Plane, Lands in Jefferson Park Neighborhood".
  5. ↑ Ali, Tanveer (November 9, 2016). "How Every Chicago Neighborhood Voted In The 2016 Presidential Election". DNAInfo . Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  6. ↑ Ali, Tanveer (November 9, 2012). "How Every Chicago Neighborhood Voted In The 2012 Presidential Election". DNAInfo . Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Quest for the Presidency: Cheney dances, rides public train 09/05/00". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13.
  8. ↑ "The 2000 Campaign: Campaign Briefing Published". The New York Times. September 5, 2000. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  9. ↑ "Jefferson Park".
  10. ↑ "Chicago Community Area Data". robparal.com. Rob Paral and Associates. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Welcome to the Indian Woods Community - a photo on Flickriver".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.