Yep, I’m still planning to finish this deck of cards…it might take me 10 years to do it, but I’m gonna do it! Today the whole family headed over to Bronzeville after I took the kids Christmas card pictures at Grant Park. I was kind-of prodded to get over there for a client project, I guess I needed some sort of push because, once again, it’s been months since exploring another part of this city via one of these cards.
If you’re not familiar with Bronzeville, it’s just south of McCormick Place on the southside of the city, 21st Street to 51st Street, along the lake on the east and Rock Island Railroad to the west. I’ve never spent much time in this neighborhood but the 31st Street beach and park are one of my favorites in the city, there are exceptional views of the city’s skyline.
Bronzeville was known in the early 20th century as the “Black Metropolis” because of the large number of African-Americans who migrated north for a better life during the “Great Migration”. Many well known African-Americans resided within this area of the city and was home to the Chicago jazz scene. Many musicians played at the Sunset Cafe and other clubs, unfortunately most are no longer around.
This neighborhood is an interesting mix of historical, beautiful old homes and very new construction. There is vibrant art mixed among some very rundown, condemned buildings. The IIT campus is also located in Bronzeville and the green and red line run through here as well.