The South Loop neighborhood between 16th Street and Cermak Road has seen extraordinary changes over the past 150 years. It was the most exclusive residential district in Chicago in the late 19th century but underwent a rapid transformation in the early 20th century as business and industry moved into the area. By the 1950s, it was declared one of the worst slums in the city, but saw a renaissance in the first decades of the 21st century as new residents embraced the advantages of living close to downtown.
Throughout this time, Second Presbyterian Church has remained the one constant, with the year 2023 marking the 150th anniversary of the completion of its landmarked building at Michigan and Cullerton. In this heavily illustrated lecture by William Tyre, Executive Director and Curator of Glessner House, attendees will see the transformation of the neighborhood over the decades, and how Second Presbyterian has responded to those changes. Topics include the Gilded Age mansions and their residents, the transformation of Michigan Avenue into Motor Row, the development of the printing and publishing industry, the nearby red light district known as the “Levee,” Prohibition, the impact of the adjacent Chinatown and Bronzeville communities, and the factors that led to the recent residential rebirth.
This is a free program, but reservations are requested. The program is co-sponsored by Glessner House, Friends of Historic Second Church, and Second Presbyterian Church.