Myrna Skilling
312-850-3717
Fax 312-850-3718
Toll Free
866-838-8029
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Meet Myrna
Chris Gaggero
Office:773-290-2170
Cell:773-715-1479
Fax:773-290-2270
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Bridgeport
Bridgeport came into being more than 160 years ago, when immigrants
arrived and built the Illinois & Michigan Canal to link Lake Michigan and the Illinois
River. Many arrived from Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Ireland, hoping to recreate the
tight-knit communities they had left behind. These immigrants settled in
“Hardscrabble”, which was renamed “Bridgeport” in 1836, after a low
bridge that crossed the South Branch of the Chicago River. When the canal was built, they
worked in the stockyards and packing houses of the “Back of the Yards” to the
immediate south.
With the completion of the Canal Origins Park early in the 21st century, Bridgeport will
be a noticeable forerunner in the redevelopment of Chicago’s neighborhoods. The park
will be located at the site of the former Fuller Street Bridge (near Ashland Avenue and
27th Street), the crossing that's credited with giving Bridgeport its name. Bridgeport is
south of the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) and north of Pershing Road. The Chicago and
Western Indiana tracks form its eastern boundary and Ashland Avenue is on its west. The
four-block-wide eastern vertical strip of the neighborhood, roughly between the railroad
tracks and the Dan Ryan Expressway, is often lumped together with Bridgeport but actually
is a separate community called Armour Square. Chinatown forms its northeast corner,
sectioned off by the Stevenson. Although it may have quite a different character than its
North Side counterpart “Wrigleyville”, Bridgeport boasts Comiskey Park, home of
the Chicago White Sox. And while you won't find the density of restaurants and bars that
Wrigleyville offers, you will find some historic, less-crowded spots for a post-game drink
or meal.
Though it's mainly a residential area, Bridgeport is bisected by a busy central commercial
district along Halsted Street. Here, Italian and Lithuanian restaurants mingle with
Chinese grocers and discount variety stores. The Ramova Theater, shuttered but still
displaying its marquee, is the only visible reminder of the half-dozen theaters that used
to dot the neighborhood. An evening in Bridgeport is best enjoyed in one of its many
taverns or restaurants. Unless, of course, there's a game at Comiskey, in which case
follow the bright lights illuminating the sky above 35th Street near the Dan Ryan.
A chalk mural at the Polo Cafe (on Morgan Street) illustrates interesting spots around the
Bridgeport. Many are churches, still standing even though they were built in the late
1800’s. Also depicted in the mural are five Chicago mayors who were born in
Bridgeport, including Richard J. Daley, who lived there his entire life, and his son
Richard M. Daley. More than anything else, Bridgeport offers an atmosphere of family,
church, and home.
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212 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 |
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