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Age-old beauty and a rich history give Bridgeport an edge over many Chicago neighborhoods. Built on the backs of Irish, German, and Norwegian immigrants, Bridgeport is a stronghold of elegant working-class culture. Welcoming an even more diverse mix of residents today, the shopping, dining and culture here overflow with options for amazing international cuisine, independent boutiques and global festivals. And who could forget, Bridgeport is where the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox play their home games. (So don't expect to see many Cubs fans around these parts!) Any time the Sox hit a home run, fireworks shoot out from the stadium as the roar of the crowd serenades the colorful display.
Bridgeport is a neighborhood for the average Joe with an elegant edge. Its vibrant personality shines brightly through generations of hard work and rich history. Tall, leafy trees dot the streets, and wide open parks are scattered between the concrete blocks. Old churches still stand from the original immigrant settlers, and young families walk the same avenues their grandparents did. Bridgeport is a Chicago community of long-standing roots and new buds. A recent kick of modernization and round of respectable rehabbing has added a contemporary twist to an old school neighborhood.
Bridgeport's real estate includes condominiums, apartments, low-rise flats, and two- and three-story walk-ups. A variety of smaller houses and private homes are also available, all examples of the blend of contemporary to classic building styles represented in this south side Chicago neighborhood. Bridgeport residences are being rehabbed left and right, many with sturdy brick facades that have stood the test of time (not too much aluminum siding here!).
The year 1836 saw the ground breaking of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. This man-made endeavor created a connection between the Chicago River and the Illinois River, 96 miles apart. Immigrants flooded the area for construction jobs at the canal site and as a result, Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood was born. Irish, German and Norwegian canal dredgers made their homes along Archer Avenue named for William Beatty Archer, who oversaw the waterway's construction. In 1848 the canal was finished and opened for business. Suddenly Bridgeport was a bustling community of lumber yards, industrial factories and meatpacking plants. Archer Avenue became the main strip, and meatpacking industries became the major employer of the immigrant residents.
Although the population was diverse, each ethnic community built its own enclave. The Irish, German, Poles, Czechs and Lithuanians all constructed their own parishes, which became the moral center of each sub-neighborhood. Around these churches, two-flat houses and quaint brick cottages were built. Such a stable development led to strong businesses and soon enough, saloons, schools, and small retail, grocer, and industrial merchants came onto the scene. In the 1880s streetcars appeared on Halsted Street, boosting it to main drag status over Archer Avenue.
Today industry continues to thrive in Chicago's Bridgeport area. For over 150 years, this neighborhood has given Chicago and the surrounding areas some of its strongest workers. Not to mention some of its most influential. Five Chicago mayors have either come from Bridgeport or made it their main residence over the years.
As Chicago neighborhood experts, Dream Town has successfully sold properties in Bridgeport. Dream Town holds a well-earned reputation for its impressive sales volume and dedication to personal, attentive service. Benefit from the Dream Town advantage when selling your Bridgeport home. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, Dream Town drives more sales than any other Chicago brokerage.
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