Brighton Park, Chicago

Brighton Park
Community area
Community Area 58 - Brighton Park
Street scene along Archer Avenue.
Location within the city of Chicago
Coordinates:41°49.2′N87°42.0′W
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Cook
City	Chicago
Neighborhoods	list Brighton Park
Area
• Total	2.72 sq mi (7.04 km2)
Population (2020)
• Total	45,053
• Density	17,000/sq mi (6,400/km2)
Demographics2019
•White	6.8%
• Black	1.2%
• Hispanic	80.9%
• Asian	10.2%
• Other	0.9%
Time zone	UTC-6(CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5(CDT)
ZIP Codes	parts of 60632
Median income	$41,650
Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services

Brighton Parkis a community area located on the southwest side ofChicago,Illinois.It is number 58 of the 77community areas of Chicago.

Brighton Park is bordered on the north by the formerIllinois and Michigan Canaland the currentChicago Sanitary and Ship Canal,on the east by Western Avenue, on the south by 49th Street, and on the west by Drake Ave.

The neighborhood is a mix of residential areas, commercial zones, industrial works and transportation (primarilyrailroadandtrucking) facilities. It is relatively peaceful, according toChicago Police Departmentstatistics (2004 CPD Annual Report).

History

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	46,552		—
1940	45,030		−3.3%
1950	41,345		−8.2%
1960	38,019		−8.0%
1970	35,671		−6.2%
1980	30,770		−13.7%
1990	32,207		4.7%
2000	44,912		39.4%
2010	45,368		1.0%
2020	45,053		−0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

After the expulsion of thePotawatomi,the land in what is now Brighton Park was platted and subdivided in anticipation of the opening of theIllinois-Michigan Canal.In the 1850s, private investors, notably John McCaffrey bought it with the hopes of turning it into a center of commerce. In 1851, the area was incorporated as a municipality.Named Brighton to invoke livestock markets in, among other places, theBrighton neighborhoodofBostonand its livestock markets. Brighton Park had an active livestock market in the late 1850s, but it was overshadowed by theUnion Stock Yardsin the 1860s.In 1855,Chicagomayor"Long" John Wentworthbuilt the Brighton Park horse racetrack (whose name conveniently alluded to the more famousBrighton Racecoursein England) directly east of the village, in what is now theChicago Park District's McKinley Park.TheGreat Chicago Firespared Brighton Park.In 1889, afterLake Townshipvoted to allow for annexation, Brighton Park became part of the City of Chicago.

By 1871, the year of theGreat Chicago Fire,Brighton Park was served by theArcher Avenuehorsecarand theAlton Railroad.(Brighton Park was not affected by the fire). Therailroadbuilt aroundhousein the neighborhood, and various factories were built.Later thestreetcarwas electrified and extended andinterurbanelectric railway service was provided by theChicago and Joliet Electric Railwayuntil 1934. Most of the residential buildings now in Brighton Park were built in the early part of the 20th century, between 1905 and 1925, after more electricstreetcarlines (on Western Ave, Kedzie Ave, 35th St and 47th St) had been extended into the neighborhood,providing cheap and quick transport to work.

By the turn of the century, Brighton Park was becoming a destination for many European immigrants, particularly those arriving from Italy, Poland and Lithuania.Theneighborhood's Polish identitywas evidenced along Archer Avenue, which became the neighborhood'smain streetfor Polish owned businesses.

Transportation

A sign for the Corwith Intermodal freight facility.

Chicago's role as transportation gateway has always been a major influence on the demographics and economy of Brighton Park. Two majorrailroadlandmarks exist in Brighton Park. The CorwithIntermodalfreight facility, once known asCorwith Yards,covering nearly a square mile, is one of the major industrial features of Brighton Park. Brighton Park crossing,near Western Avenue and Archer Avenue, is a majorChicagorailroad junctionand the former site of Brighton Park's railway station.

Access to, property values, and economic growth in the neighborhood have been improved by the 1964 opening of theStevenson Expressway,Interstate 55,the 1993 opening of theOrange Linerapid transit line, and the revitalization of the nearbyMidway International Airport.

Government and infrastructure

Brighton Park branch of theChicago Public Library.

TheUnited States Postal Serviceoperates the Elsdon Post Office at 3124 West 47th Street. Post Office is closed as of June 2010.The neighborhood branch of theChicago Public Libraryis located at 4314 South Archer Avenue.

The neighborhood has the headquarters of theChicago Park District.

Politics

The Brighton Park community area has supported theDemocratic Partyin past presidential elections. In the2016 presidential election,the Brighton Park cast 6,930 votes forHillary Clintonand cast 842 votes forDonald Trump(85.63% to 10.40%).In the2012 presidential election,Brighton Park cast 5,699 votes forBarack Obamaand cast 874 votes forMitt Romney(85.47% to 13.11%).

Portions of Brighton Park are located in the 12th, 14th, and 15th wards represented on theChicago City CouncilbyJulia Ramirez,Jeylú Gutiérrez,andRay Lopezrespectively. Lopez serves as theDemocratic Committeemenfor his ward, while Cook County Board of Review CommissionerGeorge Cardenasserves as the Democratic Committeeman for the 12th war, and State RepresentativeAaron Ortizserves as the Democratic Committeeman for the 14th ward. Rosa Pritchett is Lopez's Republican counterpart in the 15th ward while the 12th and 14th ward have no Republican committeeman.

Education

Chicago Public Schoolsoperate the following public schools: Burroughs School, CPS Brighton Park School, Calmeca Academy, Columbia Explorers School, N. Davis School, Gunsaulus Scholastic Academy, Shields Elementary, and Shields Middle School.

The Acero Charter School Network operates the Sandra Cisneros School, Acero Brighton Park School and the Officer Donald J. Marquez School in Brighton Park.

Notable people

• Edward J. Moskala(1921–1945), recipient of theMedal of Honorfor his actions during theBattle of OkinawainWorld War II.He resided at 3120 West 38th Street at the time of his enlistment.

External links

• Official City of Chicago Brighton Park Community Map