Luxembourgers in Chicago

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Luxembourgers in Chicago are an ethnic group in the Chicago area. [1]

Contents

History

The first Luxembourgers to come to Chicago immigrated in either 1842 [2] or 1846 [3] along Ridge Road [4] in Edgewater [5] which was just north of Chicago at the time. In 1871, just after the Great Chicago Fire parishioners of St. Michael's Church in Chicago formed the first Luxembourgish-American organization in the United States, the Luxemburger Unterstützungsverein (Luxembourg Mutual Aid Society). [6] Other organizations followed such as the Luxembourg Brotherhood. Many Luxembourgers were Roman Catholics, and the first initial wave of immigrants lived alongside Germans in places like Old Town, later seeking to distinguish themselves from the Germans. [7] After the fire, they moved further north to areas like Rogers Park. [8] In 1880, there were approximately 500-700 Luxembourgers in Chicago [9] and by 1900, that number had ballooned to about 16,000. [10] The majority of the immigrants came from the Moselle river area, [11] which borders Germany.

Chicago has the largest population of ethnic Luxembourgers outside of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg itself. [12]

"Greenhouse people"

Trucks from 'Angel Guardian Florist' with 'Angel Guardian Orphanage' in the background on 2001 Devon Avenue. Angel Guardian Orphanage (NBY 417225).jpg
Trucks from 'Angel Guardian Florist' with 'Angel Guardian Orphanage' in the background on 2001 Devon Avenue.

Many Luxembourgers became involved in the growing of plants in greenhouses, so much so that by 1910, most of the 100 greenhouses in Chicago were owned by Luxembourgish Americans. [13] [14] [15] Some are still in operation to the present day. [16] [17]

Cultural institutions

Schobermesse in Rogers Park, Chicago, 1907 Luxemburger Schobermesse 1907 Rogers Park Chicago.jpg
Schobermesse in Rogers Park, Chicago, 1907
Group photo of Luxembourg Bruderbund of Chicago in 1935. Luxembourg Brotherhood of America, Chicago 1935-05-05, A-Z Nr 25.jpg
Group photo of Luxembourg Bruderbund of Chicago in 1935.
  1. An annual Mass celebrating Our Lady of Consolation, Patroness of Luxembourg.
  2. Sauerbraten Dinner in the Spring.
  3. The National Convention in May.
  4. The Schobermesse / National Day in June [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] based on the Schueberfouer holiday started in 1340 by John the Blind in Luxembourg.

Notable people

See also

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References

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  18. "St. Gregory the Great Church". MARY, MOTHER OF GOD PARISH. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
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  22. "Zender Rogers Park Ebert's Grove Luxembourg - Newspapers.com". Chicago Tribune. 2 September 1912. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
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