Tour of Hyde Park

September 28, 2013

Hyde Park, Chicago Community Area #41 sits 7 miles south of the Loop. It is a unique community not just in the south side, or just in Chicago, but in the world.

To its north above Hyde Park Boulevard is Kenwood. South below 60th Street is Woodlawn. On the west is Washington Park, and on the northwest is Grand Boulevard. Hyde Park extends east to the lake, and near the lake, follows Jackson Park to a further south southern border.

In 1853, Paul Cornell bought 300 acres of lakefront between 51st and 55th street. A savvy businessman and lawyer from New York, he knew the key to his fortunes was access, so he deeded 60 acres to the Illinois Central Railroad in exchange for a station located right in the quite little suburb. Chicago increased its size tremendously when it annexed three major areas in 1889, namely Jefferson Township, Lakeview and Hyde Park. Hyde Park’s fortunes were made when Chicago secured the 1893 Columbian Exposition World’s Fair and settled that it would occur in Hyde Park, namely what is now Jackson Park, and the Midway Plaisance, flowing into Washington Park. Chicago’s moment in the sun following its rebuilding after the Great Fire.

It is home to the University of Chicago, and the grand gothic campus dotted with several notable moderns. The community around the campus is equally impressive. Luminaries like Frank Lloyd Wright, Frederick Olmsted, Lorado Taft, Howard Van Doren Shaw, Dwight Perkins, George and William Keck, and Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe are but some of the giants with handsome contributions to the areas rich architectural palette. Hyde Park is an full of locally owned businesses, and community organizations and caring stewards of the history of the neighborhood

Buy Tour and 2009 Poster - $12

Buy Tour - $9

Buy Poster - $5

Facebook Event Page | Starting Spot | Route | Photo Album | Ross Felten 2009 Poster