Park Manor is a section of Greater Grand Crossing, which is marked by great achievement overcoming one of the largest train wrecks in 1853 at 75th Street and Chicago Avenue. Subsequent to the crash the city mandated a great deal of reconstruction and eventually elevated the train in order to make the community safer for everyone. Today the area is home to many fantastic newer homes, community activities, and a vibrant arts community.
Park Manor was annexed by the city of Chicago in 1889 and was heavily populated by farm and factory workers. Residents benefitted greatly from teh Columbian Exposition in Jackson Park. The population in Park Manor boomed in the early 1900s and thus the South Park Commission decided to build a park to accomate its new residents. Sleekly designed field houses were the focal point of many green and spacious expanses of park land.
Much of the architextural style was founded during this time period with Italian stone masonries, which later evolved into 2-flats and frame dwellings. The economic boom of the 1930s brought in much commerical development and assisted in the areas continued growth. Today, architexturally speaking, you can see many single-family, bungalow-style, duplexes, contemporary rehabs lining the streets such as Vincennes, Champlain, Eberhart, and King Drive, which range from $70,000 to $200,000.
Park Manor is neighbor to Bronzeville, which was considered by many to be a black metropolis during the 1930s. The proximity made it home to many famous blue and jazz artists of that time. The community is home to the Create Arts Colalition, the South Side Community Arts Center, and the DuSable Museum of African-American History.
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