The Ravenswood Neighborhoods

Northwest of Lakeview, between Ashland and Damen Avenues, and Irving Park and Bryn Mawr Avenues, lies a  neighborhood called Ravenswood, one of the city's first deliberately planned neighborhoods in the late 1800's. It's a beautiful area with tree-lined streets and parks and its own rapid-transit system that connects to the Loop. Population growth began to take off when the elevated train extended north in 1907, providing settlers easy access to the city.

In 1889, Chicago annexed the rural wooded village of Ravenswood. Poet Carl Sandburg who aptly described Chicago as the "City of Big Shoulders," lived in Ravenswood on Hermitage Avenue. In the Ravenswood neighborhood, an array of homes attract residences, from the vintage Victorian and Prairie School homes and brick row homes boasting wide lots, to the slightly more modern, and affordable, single family homes and multi-family units. Hard-to-come by bungalows and two-and three-flats abound. In general, home prices are more reasonable than in other city neighborhoods, yet homes are generally larger and lots are wider and deeper, reflecting the rich architectural history of the area.

While mainly residential, Ravenswood shares its nightlife and dining with neighbor Lincoln Square and NorthCenter, the transportation and shopping hubs of the area. Lincoln Avenue serves up both trendy and traditional restaurants, cozy local bars and pubs. And for those that crave the city, the neighborhood has its own Metra station, as well as Brown Line stops and CTA bus routes along major streets. Plus the Old Town School of Folk Music, a popular local entertainment venue and music school, brings creativity and culture to the entire area.

Welles Park, between Western, Lincoln, Montrose and Sunnyside, is a lovely 15 acre park that serves the area with baseball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and a childrens playground. Its field house has an indoor pool and several gyms.

www.ravenswoodcommunity.org