The Early Days
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Auburn Gresham, community area 71, was added into Chicago in 1889. The first settlers in this area were German and Dutch truck farmers, or farmers that grew produce for the market. Irish workers soon moved to the area once railroad tracks were laid in the mid-nineteenth century. Homesteaders, following the World's Columbian Exposition, came to the area due to the improvement of the services provided in the neighborhood, such as installed streetcars.
This area appealed to families of that time wishing to escape the more crowded sections of the city. Firefighters, police officers, construction workers as well as other city workers found the neighborhood convienent, one reason being the Halsted street car
This area appealed to families of that time wishing to escape the more crowded sections of the city. Firefighters, police officers, construction workers as well as other city workers found the neighborhood convienent, one reason being the Halsted street car
In the 1920s and 30s, the neighborhood's population tripled as German, Swedish and French Americans, as well as Polish and Italian people joined to Irish people living in the area. Most of the housing here were bungalows and apartments, most of which survive today.
In the 1940s, nearly half of the population was Roman Catholic. There were five parishes, the most well known being St. Sabina's. In other neighborhoods, there has been hostility between Protestants and Catholics, but this was not seen as much in Auburn Gresham since there were few Protestants living in the area.
In the 1940s, nearly half of the population was Roman Catholic. There were five parishes, the most well known being St. Sabina's. In other neighborhoods, there has been hostility between Protestants and Catholics, but this was not seen as much in Auburn Gresham since there were few Protestants living in the area.
The Flight
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After going through the Great Depression, World War II, and enjoying the 50s as a prosperous middle class neighborhood, African Americans began to move into the neighborhoods near Auburn Gresham, seeking to live beyond the overcrowded Black Belt. This caused racial tensions between the new residents and the older ones. Early on, violence did not become an issue due to the formation of several church organizations.
The crime rate in Auburn Gresham soon grew faster than the city's crime rate as a whole. In the late 1950s, these church organizations as mentioned earlier had the goals of maintain property values and protect property, but the support these programs provided declined over the years. Crime increased, normally theft and break-ins. In the 1960s and 1970s, the population increased along with the crime, making the residents more and more weary. Soon, the other ethnic groups had begun to move to other neighborhoods and the African American population in the neighborhood continued to grow.
Today, Auburn Gresham is a middle class neighborhood known for its old, 1930s bungalows and two-flats. It has received national attention and earned a landmark designation because of the old houses.The Catholic church in the area called St. Sabina provides different programs for the youth of the area and manage their own academy. The leaders of these community groups have worked to restore old bungalows to encourage more middle class families to move in and increase property values, despite the wave of foreclosure the surrounding area has been hit with.
The crime rate in Auburn Gresham soon grew faster than the city's crime rate as a whole. In the late 1950s, these church organizations as mentioned earlier had the goals of maintain property values and protect property, but the support these programs provided declined over the years. Crime increased, normally theft and break-ins. In the 1960s and 1970s, the population increased along with the crime, making the residents more and more weary. Soon, the other ethnic groups had begun to move to other neighborhoods and the African American population in the neighborhood continued to grow.
Today, Auburn Gresham is a middle class neighborhood known for its old, 1930s bungalows and two-flats. It has received national attention and earned a landmark designation because of the old houses.The Catholic church in the area called St. Sabina provides different programs for the youth of the area and manage their own academy. The leaders of these community groups have worked to restore old bungalows to encourage more middle class families to move in and increase property values, despite the wave of foreclosure the surrounding area has been hit with.