| Prior to 1833’s Treaty of Chicago, Old Town Chicago was initially settled by Native Americans, namely the Illinois, Miami, and Potawatomi tribes. Once the Native Americans were driven out, the area was home primarily to Catholic immigrants from Germany.
Rich in history, Old Town is comprised of many of the city’s Victorian buildings. St. Michael's Church is one of the area’s most notable landmarks, and amazingly, it withstood the intense blaze of the Great Chicago Fire. Also adding to Old Town’s distinctive character, a great deal of its alleys and streets pre-date the notorious fire.
The 1930’s saw a surge in artistic creativity, with many of Washington Square Park’s artists migrating to the area. Established in 1927, Carl Street Studios on Burton Place served as a home to the art crowd.
Old Town Chicago went through another significant change in the 1960’s, as the neighborhood’s original families fled to the suburbs. Victorian buildings with storefronts quickly became available to rent for cheap, and boutiques like Crate and Barrel emerged.
Since the 1960’s, the Old Town area has become home to ground-breaking developments in the arenas of live comedy and theater. Among the popular new venues were the Second City, Zanies Comedy Club and Tony & Tina’s Wedding. The decade also saw the popularization of folk music.
Old Town Chicago Condos for Sale
Condos dominate the homes for sale in Old Town. The neighborhood's Victorian buildings provide a wide range of condo living. Cafes and shops also season the tree-lined streets of Old Town Chicago, enhanced by historical streetlights. Old Town is surrounded by some of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods, including Lincoln Park to the north, Wicker Park to the west, and the Gold Coast to the east.
Getting around in Old Town is quite convenient with the Brown and Purple CTA Lines stopping at Armitage and Sedgewick. The Red Line makes its stop at North and Clybourn and Clark and Division. CTA buses also provide a means of easy transportation.
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