West Englewood, Chicago

West Englewood is one of the 77 community areas in Chicago, Illinois, located on the city’s southwest side. It was once called South Lynne. The neighborhood’s borders include Garfield Blvd to the north, Racine Ave to the east, and the CSX and Norfolk Southern railroad tracks to the west, with the Belt Railway of Chicago forming its southern edge. Even though it is its own community area, West Englewood shares much of its history and culture with the nearby Englewood neighborhood.

Early history

The first European settlers in the area that became West Englewood were mostly German and Swedish farmers who arrived in the 1840s. After rail lines were built for the Rock Island and Wabash Railroads, the area was called Chicago Junction, which later changed to Junction Grove. This name is remembered today in Junction Grove Playlot Park, cared for by the Chicago Park District. By 1865, Junction Grove became an unincorporated town named Lake, which was eventually renamed Englewood.

Two big events helped more people move to Englewood and West Englewood. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed many neighborhoods north of here. With open space for homes and nearby railroads, these areas became a good place for people to live away from the crowded city. In 1889, Englewood and West Englewood became part of Chicago when the town of Lake was included in the city. With this change came streetcars, which made it easier for people to travel. In 1903, the Englewood Elevated Railway Company built a train line along 63rd Street to Loomis, connecting to the South Side Elevated Railroad. These transportation improvements helped workers travel north to the stockyards and downtown.

Economic and racial change

During a time when many people from Europe were moving to Chicago for jobs, African Americans from the rural South also came to the city. They were escaping unfair laws and treatments in their home places. At first, they lived in certain areas of the city because of rules that kept them apart.

West Englewood had many people in 1930, most of whom were white and some were born in other countries. By 1940, it had even more people. But after World War II, big factories and mills moved away, taking many good jobs with them. This made it hard for people to live well.

By 1960, some African Americans lived in West Englewood, but jobs were fewer. In the following years, more African Americans moved into the area as laws changed to allow them to live in more places. However, without enough jobs, many people left to find work elsewhere or moved to towns outside the city.

By the year 2000, the number of people in West Englewood had fallen a lot, and almost all the remaining residents were African American. By 2020, the population dropped even more, and many houses and buildings were left empty. The city removed many of these empty buildings, but few new ones were built in their place.

Government

The main office for the Chicago Police Department's 7th district is in West Englewood.

Education

Chicago Public Schools provide education for students in West Englewood. Some of the schools that once served this area include Randolph, O'Toole, and Goodlow, among others. However, many of these schools closed in 2021. Now, students in West Englewood usually go to Englewood STEM High School in the nearby Englewood neighborhood. A small part of the area sends students to Bogan High School.

There is also a public library in West Englewood, located at 1745 W. 63rd Street, which is part of the Chicago Public Library system. Additionally, the Robert Lindblom Math & Science Academy is a special school that focuses on math and science and has been recognized by the City of Chicago.

Notable people

Some well-known people grew up or lived in West Englewood.

Cedrick Frazier, who was born in 1979, is a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up in West Englewood.

Esther Golar lived in West Englewood and served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2006 until she passed away in 2015.

Benn Jordan, born in 1979, is a modern jazz and electronic musician who also grew up in West Englewood.