Updated
First settled in the mid-1800s, Logan Square was named after Civil War hero and congressman General John A. Logan. The Near West Side neighborhood has experienced a recent resurgence that has it in direct competition with adjacent neighborhoods Bucktown and Wicker Park. As Logan Square continues to develop, it has become more desirable to retailers and restaurants, yet it hasn't lost its culturally-diverse 'soul.' Logan Square's high-profile dining and nightlife scenes, in particular, have garnered national attention, accolades and awards, drawing a steady stream of tourists.
Logan Square's boundaries are Diversey Avenue to the north, Fullerton Avenue to the south, Western Avenue to the east and Central Park Street to the west. The neighborhood is approximately five miles northwest from downtown Chicago and is easily accessible by public transportation via the Blue Line elevated trains at California Avenue, Logan Square Boulevard and Western Avenue.
Logan Square remains a diverse community that's dominated by rich, Hispanic heritage and a community of artists. It's also very residential, with pockets of quiet streets, vintage buildings and newer, upscale properties. It's become a desirable place to live for young professionals and young families for its varied selection of cafes and restaurants. The epicenter, aptly named Logan Square, is along Logan Boulevard at Milwaukee Avenue and Whipple Street. It's a walkable area for the stroller set and people with pets, and it's also the location of the year-round Logan Square Farmers Market. Surrounding neighborhoods are Avondale, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, Roscoe Village and Wicker Park.
Logan Square is home to a combination of single (42.8%) and married (44.5%) people, with 65.8% of residents childless.
The commute for Logan Square residents to work is about 30-60 minutes for approximately 35% of residents, with 65% traveling under 30 minutes to or from work.
Logan Square is close to the John F. Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90), which connects to I-94 and I-190. The neighborhood is within walking distance to METRA (Metropolitan Rail) and the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) Blue Line stations. A public transportation commute to the Loop from Logan Square takes approximately 40 minutes. The neighborhood is 6.1 miles from downtown Chicago and is easily accessible via the CTA Blue Lines at California Avenue, Logan Square Boulevard and Western Avenue. Logan Square is 5.3 miles away from the River North neighborhood via the 65-Grand or 74-Fullerton CTA bus lines.
Long before Logan Square became a trendy neighborhood known for its dining and nightlife options, it was popular with early adapters of the farm-to-table movement. Lula Cafe opened in 1999 in a small storefront and immediately gained a reputation for using fresh ingredients. Within several years, other restaurants followed suit, turning Logan Square into a nationally-recognized culinary destination. Some of the most popular eateries here are Billy Sunday, Longman & Eagle, Revolution Brewing, Scofflaw and Yusho. Additional attractions include a number of thrift stores, antique shops and vintage churches. Street parking in Logan Square is much easier than downtown and in neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park and River North. Although there are a few parking lots in the most frequented areas, the challenge is that most restaurants and bars do not offer valet service.
New Yorker Martin Kimbell settled the area that is now known as Logan Square when he claimed 160 acres in 1836. European immigrants followed and the neighborhood steadily grew, particularly after the notorious Chicago Fire of 1871, which devastated what is now downtown Chicago. By the 1960s, Logan Square was mainly comprised of bohemians and Hispanics. Today, the neighborhood continues to enjoy a culturally- and ethnically-diverse population that complements its trendy dining and nightlife scenes.
2200 N. Kedzie Ave. - Palmer Square Park, which was created as part of Chicago?s historic boulevard system in the early 1870s.
2226 N. Hoyne Ave. - St. Hedwig's Church, a historic parish church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago that was established in 1888.
2408 N. Kedzie Ave. - Stan Mansion, a former Masonic temple built in 1921. It's popular for wedding receptions and formal events.
2644 N. Milwaukee Ave. - I Am Logan Square Gallery, a popular space for local artists and curators to present their works in monthly exhibitions.
2800 N. Milwaukee Ave. - Hairpin Lofts, a national landmark building that was built in 1930 by Sol Goldberg, who created a patent for the 'bobby pin.'
Article by Audarshia Townsend
