Chicago's Near West Side was and is the city's most famous Italian enclave, earning it the title of "Little Italy." Italian immigrants came to Chicago as early as the 1850s, before the massive waves of immigration from 1874 to 1920. They settled in small pockets throughout the city, but ultimately the heaviest concentration was on or near Taylor Street, the main street of Chicago's Little Italy. At one point a third of all Chicago's Italian immigrants lived in the neighborhood. Some of their descendents remain, and although many have moved to the suburbs, their familial and emotional ties to the neighborhood cannot be broken. Taylor Street: Chicago's Little Italy is a pictorial history from the late 19th century and early 20th century, from when Jane Addams and Mother Cabrini guided the Italians on the road to Americanization, through the area's vibrant decades, and to its sad story of urban renewal in the 1960s and its rebirth 25 years later.
Chicagos Near West Side was and is the citys most famous Italian enclave, earning it the title of Little Italy. Italian immigrants came to Chicago as early as the 1850s, before the massive waves of immigration from 1874 to 1920. They settled in small pockets throughout the city, but ultimately the heaviest concentration was on or near Taylor Street, the main street of Chicagos Little Italy. At one point a third of all Chicagos Italian immigrants lived in the neighborhood. Some of their descendents remain, and although many have moved to the suburbs, their familial and emotional ties to the neighborhood cannot be broken. Taylor Street: Chicagos Little Italy is a pictorial history from the late 19th century and early 20th century, from when Jane Addams and Mother Cabrini guided the Italians on the road to Americanization, through the areas vibrant decades, and to its sad story of urban renewal in the 1960s and its rebirth 25 years later.
To the Algonquin-speaking Native Americans, the territory later to be named Wauconda was their land. With the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, they were forced to cede it to the US government and move west of the Mississippi River. This action paved the way for white European Americans to settle and prosper. Their descendants thrived, built successful businesses, and raised families. Shortly after the beginning of the 20th century, the railroad and new roads brought out Chicago city folks who cooled themselves on Wauconda's sandy beaches. Now many 21st-century residents who can trace their lineage to those early families continue to live and work as Wauconda adapts to growth.
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