History of Lincoln Park

Chicago, the third most populous city in the United States, began its early history as an important transportation link between the eastern and western United States triggered the area’s population growth. Chicago was named by the indigenous Native American tribes, and is thought to denote “strong,” or “great”. The area now known as Lincoln Park (one of the many distinct neighborhood areas within the city of Chicago) was primarily forest and swampland when Chicago was first established. In 1824, the United States Army built a small post near today's Clybourn and Armitage Avenues, which marked the beginning of growth within Lincoln Park. However, the area was still considered remote, and a small pox hospital and the city cemetery were located within Lincoln Park.

In 1837, when Chicago was incorporated as a city, North Avenue was established as Chicago's northern boundary (which is Lincoln Park’s southern boundary today). Lincoln Park’s first waves of immigration were Germans escaping the religious persecution and political oppression in their homeland. Since agriculture was the primary industry in Chicago, the German immigrants found adequate work in farming. The German immigrants also brought with them the beer-making trade, opening more than two dozen breweries within Lincoln Park. Improvements in transportation led to further population growth, as the first horse car line in the city extended to Wright's Grove in Lincoln Park, which was a popular German picnic grove and beer garden. In 1859, the Presbyterian Seminary was relocated to Lincoln Park, bringing another wave of immigrants, largely of Scotch-Irish descent.

In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire burned for three days and nights, causing 300 deaths, nearly 100,000 people were left homeless, and an estimated $200 million of property was destroyed. During reconstruction, Lincoln Park was excluded from the strict new fire ordinances, and many wood frame houses were built in the area. These "Chicago cottages" soon covered the western half of Lincoln Park, and the area saw a population increase of over 10,000 people.

The 1920’s began a twenty-year period of tearing down the inexpensive wood-frame homes and building larger and more expensive homes. Lincoln Park’s population suffered a decline in the 1950’s as families left the city for the new American suburbs. At this time, teachers, artists, writers and other professionals became interested in Lincoln Park real estate and relocated to the area. The rehabbing trend continued for the next decade and picked up further speed in the 1970’s, when executives, lawyers and bankers working in the city found that Lincoln Park was a nice alternative to living in the suburbs.

As more and more affluent people moved in, rehabbing became much more popular, causing a significant rise in property values. Lincoln Park real estate became the target for urban renewal, with bulldozers threatening to demolish Lincoln Park's historic buildings. Sections of Lincoln Park real estate have since been placed on the National Register of Historic Places or given Chicago Landmark designation, such as the Armitage/Halsted district and the Sheffield neighborhood, in order to preserve the historic architecture.

Lincoln Park Today

Lincoln Park Chicago is now 3.19 miles, bordered on the north by Diversey Parkway, on the west by Clybourn Avenue, on the south by North Avenue, and on the east by the public park of the same name. Lincoln Park has gained a reputation as one of the most suitable Chicago neighborhoods to raise a family. The neighborhood population is primarily made up of young professionals, recent college graduates, and young families. DePaul University, located within Lincoln Park, brings many college-aged residents to the area. The campus, home to DePaul University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, spans 36 acres and serves more than 1700 students.

Lincoln Park Chicago is known as a progressive neighborhood widely recognized for its incredible variety of entertainment, dining, cultural and recreational activities. The area's great natural asset is Lincoln Park itself. It is believed that the park was originally referred to as Lake Park, and was renamed after Abraham Lincoln’s death in 1865. Lincoln Park stretches from Ardmore Avenue south to North Avenue. The park contains an outdoor theatre, the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Peggy Notebart Nature Museum, a rowing canal, playing fields, and the famed Lincoln Park restaurant, North Pond.

Just minutes from downtown Chicago, it's easy to see why Lincoln Park is one of the city's most sought-after and charming locations. It's an area where cozy coffee houses rub elbows with four star restaurants and stylish boutiques. Residents enjoy a wonderful variety of cultural and entertainment opportunities, making Lincoln Park real estate some of the most sought after real estate in Chicago.

Lincoln Park Real Estate

The streets of Lincoln Park are among the greenest in the city, with the abundance of trees giving this neighborhood a suburban feel. Lincoln Park real estate offers an eclectic mix of homes in varying degrees of size, age and caliber, including Victorian three-flats, vintage mansions, contemporary townhouses, brownstone and graystone condos and high-rise apartments overlooking Lake Michigan.

Lincoln Park real estate prices range from very expensive to surprisingly affordable, depending on the type of property and specific area of the community. Several high-rise apartment buildings with park and lake views run along the edge of the park. Rent for studio apartments can range from $535-$900. One-bedroom apartments start at $850 and skyrocket from there, depending on the view, size and location.