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Haymarket
Riot in Chicago, May 1, 1886 |
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The
West Loop
Gate has an exciting history dating back to the 1800's
when proud ethnic and religious groups left their mark in
this part of the city by building beautiful churches that
line the Near West Side today.
In the
late 1800's, many single-family dwellings were demolished
to make way for warehouses and light manufacturing plants
which clustered around the Randolph Street Market. On May
1, 1886 a nationwide strike for the 8 hour work day took place
with a meeting in this historic marketplace. Some called
this the Haymarket
Riots, while others called this meeting a tragedy.
During this meeting people where killed and others where tried
and hung. This meeting was described as both a Massacre and Anarchy,
depending on who tells the story. These events are still
celebrated today as May Day.
A Greek
population settled in the area in the late 1800's around Halsted
Street which soon became known as the Delta, named after the
triangular-shaped Greek letter. The "Delta"
was a happening commercial area with restaurants, coffee houses,
taverns and grocery stores, which is now known as "Greek
Town."
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UIC's
Chicago Circle Center |
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In the
roaring 20's, the
West Loop Gate had become more of a "melting pot,"
with different cultures moving in. But, by the 1950's, the
neighborhood was divided along ethnic, racial and religious
lines.
In February,
1961 University
of Illinois announced a Chicago Campus to open on land
at Harrison and Halsted, the construction of the campus sparked
a residential and institutional building boom in the West
Loop Gate.
But during
the 70's, the West Loop Gate was still a bit run-down.
Despite the seediness, the neighborhood had character with
wide boulevards, open space, grand manufacturing buildings
and breathtaking skyline views.
In the
'80's companies with long-term vision for the area, began
converting light industrial buildings into loft apartments.
In 1995, Mayor Daley brought the Democratic Convention to
the
United Center. The convention was huge for the West
Loop Gate, bringing new, and national, attention to the West
Loop Gate and more importantly, much-needed infrastructure
improvements.
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Excellent
restaurants in Greektown. |
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Restaurateur's
took advantage of the quirky, industrial feel of Randolph
Street and the neighborhood's improving outlook, by opening
trendy restaurants.
Today
the
West Loop Gate is one of the hottest neighborhoods in
the city. Warehouses and light manufacturing plants
have now been converted into lofts. On any given day
you'll see couples strolling down
Randolph hand and hand or joggers on their morning run,
making the area more of a neighborhood than an industrial
hub. Residential appreciation has skyrocketed 79% in
just three years, and we anticipate that's just the beginning
of this revitalized community.
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