Changing Neighborhood Skylines

The first time I rode the L out into Chicago's neighborhoods, away from the lake, I noticed a unique skyline. The view is of 3 to 4 story buildings and church towers rising above them.

It reminded me of a time when each neighborhood would have spiritual centers. Residents would walk to worship and know many of their community members. Even for those who choose not to attend services, it still helped create strong neighborhoods.

Those days are gone and the towers are going to start coming down. In the past couple years the archdiocese of Chicago has announced the closing of dozens of schools and churches. I've read the rumor that as many as a fourth of the parishes will be eliminated in the next couple decades.

While some buildings may be bought by new congregations, most won't. The old churches have little parking and often need extensive renovations. Most people now drive to their preferred house of worship instead of walking down the block to whatever happens to be around.

Best case scenario would be that developers find adaptive reuses--say as condos or apartments. Then most of the exterior would remain as the interior is gutted. Doesn't seem likely. A developer would make more money building luxury highrises or office towers on vacant lots.

In Woodlawn people are trying to save Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest Catholic church gutted twice by fire. Yesterday it was announced St. Adalbert's in Pilsen (pictured here) didn't raise enough funds for restoration and will be closed.

The skylines of many neighborhoods are about to dramatically change. Seems a shame to lose so many beautiful buildings. I feel like I'm documenting the end of an era.

VIDEO: Woodlawn

Link to video of photos:

https://youtu.be/dCSSeFf-uFA

Woodlawn

Mid-January my husband and I decided to walk from our Hyde Park home to the neighborhood just south of us—Woodlawn. Temperatures during the past fall had been unseasonably warm. This morning’s freezing drizzle was preferable to the arctic winter blast everyone promised would soon arrive.

We headed along the lake to Jackson Park. Not long after we first moved to Chicago Wooded Island, in the center of the park, was closed and fenced off for restoration. The Island features the Osaka Japanese Garden, constructed for the White City at the 1893 World’s Fair. A newspaper article promised the closed portion of the park would be available for a Saturday tour.

Despite all of the construction equipment I was surprised by the beautiful colors in the Bobolink Meadow in the park. Walking along the trail it was easy to forget we were in the middle of the city. We spent a while meandering along the trails. Too long, it turned out.

The rain increased as we finally reached the south gate entrance to Wooded Island. I thought we’d have another half hour for a self-guided tour. Instead, the gate was locked and cars were pulling out of the parking lot. Since we’d already walked this far we continued on our journey. We passed empty boat harbors. The golden statue of The Republic, a replica from the White City, glistened in the rain.

Heading back north along the western edge of Jackson Park we saw the old Hyde Park High School for the first time. I’ve heard local South Siders talk about attending school there. The building, like so many in the area, is a faded reminder of when the neighborhood used to cater to the city’s wealthier residents.

We reached the northern boundary of Woodlawn at a strip of park known as the Midway Plaisance. Another leftover from the World’s Fair, it once contained cheap thrills pushed to outside of the serious White City, such as amusement rides. The term “midway” is still used at modern fairs.

Wandering into the residential area of Woodlawn we stumbled into the end of the 61^st Street Farmers Market at Experimental Station. Originally I had planned to walk across Woodlawn to one of the oldest restaurants in the city, except we were wet and the temperature was dropping. We warmed up inside. While most of the vendors were already packing up I still found amazing fresh cinnamon swirl bread, poppy pastries, and the most delicious giant oatmeal cookies with chocolate filling to take home.

Once back outside we toured a bit more of the residences and the southern end of the University of Chicago campus. Soon the rain turned to heavy snow flakes. Already soaked from the morning walk it was time to head home.