History

Creation of Logan Square
Logan Square is an integral part of the history of Chicago. In the mid 1800′s, Chicago was a crowded, dirty commercial city with few areas of beauty. Even the lake front north of the City was a garbage dump. The founding fathers, however, envisioned a city in which business could exist beside beauty. Chicago’s motto, “Urbs in Horto”, which means “City in a Garden”, was adopted soon after Chicago’s incorporation in 1837, to establish its image as a beautiful gateway to the West. However, little was done to accomplish this vision until 1870, when 28 miles of boulevards and parks were designed to surround the City. This system consisting of 21 boulevard segments, six squares and seven connected parks began on the South side at the Lake in Jackson Park, connected Washington, Sherman, Gage, McKinley, Douglas, Garfield, and Humboldt Parks and ended at Logan Boulevard. The original plan to continue the system along Diversey Parkway back to the Lake at Lincoln Park was never completed. This great boulevard system has been called the “Emerald Necklace” of Chicago and is unique to our City. It is as famous to Chicago as Central Park is to New York City. Learn more about the history of the Boulevards.

Settled by Immigrants
In the late 1890′s Logan Square was called Jefferson Township. Here were the truck farms for Chicago. Fruits and vegetables were grown and taken into Chicago by horse drawn wagons along Milwaukee Road, which was then called the Old Plank Road, because of its oak plank construction. See original 1881 map.

Logan Square was settled in the early 1900′s by immigrants who came to this country penniless but established businesses and, through hard work, made their fortunes. Although many of them wanted to live on Prairie Avenue, Astor Street or South Shore with the wealthy families of Chicago, the old aristocracy did not accept these newly-made millionaires as equals and did not want them to live in their neighborhood. These immigrants, therefore, decided to built their mansions along the beautiful boulevards of Logan Square. Working immigrants built their cottages on the side streets.

Logan Square’s Name
Logan Square was named after General John A. Logan (figure above), who lead The Army of The Tennessee, helping General Sherman defeat the Confederacy at the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864. He served as an Illinois Congressman, and in 1886 unsuccessfully ran for Vice President of the U.S. He is best known, however, as the founder of Memorial Day.

Unique Architecture
The immigrants who settled in Logan Square were not familiar with traditional architecture, but they remembered the great castles of Europe. Instead of commissioning architects to design pure Victorian or Classic structures, they selected architectural details in local houses that appealed to them and had many different features incorporated into their homes. For this reason, most of the houses in Logan Square have an “eclectic” architectural appearance, combining different styles under the same roof. This makes them quite unique.

Famous Inhabitants
Many well known Chicago families built their homes here. Anna E. Ryan, widow of 1st Ward Alderman Michael Ryan, commissioned a prominent Chicago architect, John Ahlschlager, to build her mansion at 2819 W. Logan Boulevard in 1907. Mr. John E. Rustman, owner of the Jefferson Ice Company, commissioned Mr. Ahlschlager to build his superb mansion at 3024 W. Logan Boulevard in 1907-08. Mr. John Rath, owner of the Rath Cooperage Company, commissioned George Mayer, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, to build his mansion on the corner of Logan and Washtenaw. Ignaz Schwinn, built his mansion at the corner of Palmer and Humboldt, and many other prominent Chicago families also built in Logan Square.

Historic Designation
Although most of the great boulevard system of Chicago has deteriorated over the years, the 2 1/2 miles in Logan Square has remained virtually unchanged for 100 years. Most of the homes were never converted into rooming houses or low rent apartments like other parts of the City, and, therefore, they have retained most of their beautiful woodwork, stained glass windows and original charm. In order to preserve this beautiful neighborhood for future generations to enjoy, Logan Square Preservation convinced the Federal government in 1985 to designate these boulevards as a National Historic District. In 2005, the Chicago City Council designated them as a City landmark district as well.

Illinois Centenial Monument Placed in Logan Square
In 1918, Illinois celebrated its centennial by commissioning Henry Bacon, the architect of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to create a classical columnar monument topped by an eagle. Logan Square, one of the most influential neighborhoods in the state, was selected as the site for this memorial. For over eighty years, the eagle monument has symbolized both the Centennial of our state and the community of Logan Square. Learn more about the monument.

Awakening Interest in Logan Square
Just as the lakefront makes Chicago special, so the boulevards make Logan Square unique. Citizens of Chicago are becoming aware of the beauty and history of our neighborhood and are considering making it their home. The Kennedy Expressway and the O’Hare blue-line subway provide easy access to all parts of the City. The possibility of living in an historic community and yet being close to the Loop and O’Hare Airport makes Logan Square extremely attractive.

The Past Remains
As you walk along the boulevards and look at the beautiful old houses, it is easy to imagine horse drawn carriages carrying the gentlemen in their top hats and the ladies in their gowns to and from their homes. The distinctive style of architecture, “eclecticism”, which was inspired by immigrants, is somewhat unique in the City of Chicago and the country. This style of architecture should be preserved as an example of new creativity in design and as a legacy to independent thinking people who were not afraid to joust with tradition.

Neighbors Working Together
Logan Square Preservation, a nonprofit community organization dedicated to educating citizens about architecture, history and beautification, has been instrumental in planting many trees, shrubs and flowers along our boulevards over the past 20 years. Each September, they sponsor a Housewalk to open homes, churches and gardens to the public. This encourages people to come and see the neighborhood and enjoy our heritage with us. Logan Square Preservation was instrumental in obtaining National Registry landmark district designation for the boulevards in 1985, a grant which installed vintage lighting fixtures (figure below) and decorative banners in 1997, and a City of Chicago landmark district designation “Logan Square Boulevards District” in 2005. Citizens working together to beautify the neighborhood and preserve our heritage for future generations to enjoy is what makes Logan Square special.

Visit Tour Chicago Lakefront to learn more about past, present, and future development of Chicago.