Cultural Information - Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, IL

Cultural Information
If you're looking for more information about Lincoln Square's wealth of culture, you've found the right place. What made Lincoln Square the neighborhood it is today? When the "L" and streetcars opened allowing people to travel to and from the neighborhood more easily, the Lincoln Square area changed quickly and expanded with bustling new commerce and residents. Throughout the years, Lincoln Square has been settled by many immigrants from Germany, Greece, Eastern Europe and Mexico who have brought the character of their cultures to the neighborhood's businesses. Learn more about Lincoln Square's history and how it has evolved into the vibrant, multicultural neighborhood we know today.

History

Lincoln Square's history dates back to the 1850s and 1860s, when farmers settled what was prairie and farmland at the time. In the early 1900s, it experienced major growth that was spurred by the installation of electric streetcars along its main thoroughfares and by the opening of the elevated train line in 1907 (now the CTA Brown Line). As trains began bustling through the neighborhood from Downtown to Kimball developers began building homes for those who wanted to live outside the hustle and bustle of the city. The population of the area grew so quickly that by the 1920s the city of Chicago annexed the neighborhood.
Architecture

Lincoln Square is home to a charming assortment of buildings, representing architectural styles from the Victorian era to the present day. You'll find beauty in both the everyday structures and the masterpieces. Lincoln Square is the location of the last work of famous Chicago School architect Louis Sullivan, known for designing the Carson Pirie Scott building and the Auditorium Theatre. Louis Sullivan's Krause Music Store building has been recently renovated and brought back to its original glory.

Although we've highlighted several famous buildings here, there are plenty more structures in the area that are far from ordinary and are worth a visit. If you're in Chicago, make sure to take a walking tour of Lincoln Square's streets to see all we have to offer.

Public Art

Do you enjoy public art? We invite you to stroll along the many streets of our neighborhood to experience the rich history of Lincoln Square through its murals and other public art.