South Shore South Shore, Chicago

aerial view of south shore , hyde park in 2015

a 1939 description of south shore stating predominantly middle class—upper middle class, sure, not social register, offers antiquated characterization of community. though economic demographics among residents has varied, of history south shore has been middle-class enclave. area, bounded 67th , 79th streets north , south , stony island avenue , lake michigan west , east, swampland in 1850s when ferdinand rohn, german truck farmer, utilized trails along area s high ground transport goods chicago.

before community came known south shore in 1920s, collection of settlements in southern hyde park township. names of these settlements—essex, bryn mawr, parkside, cheltenham beach, , windsor park—indicate british heritage of illinois central railroad , steel mill workers had come inhabit them. of these settlements in place when illinois central built south kenwood station in 1881 @ 71st , jeffrey boulevard.

as many south side chicago communities, 2 events sparked commercial , residential development annexation chicago in 1889 , world s columbian exposition in 1893. location of fair in nearby jackson park prompted sale of land , building lots , subsequently housing explosion. white protestants fled neighboring washington park immigrants , african americans moved there. in 1905 these former residents of washington park built jackson park highlands, exclusive residential community ensconced within south shore. in 1906 established south shore country club, posh 67-acre (27 ha) lakeside playground, excluded blacks , jews.

a housing boom in 1920s generated not large increase in area s population, greater diversity among residents , in housing stock. between 1920 , 1930 population of south shore jumped 31,832 78,755. many of these new residents irish, swedish, german, or jewish , had followed native white protestants washington park live in south shore s high-rises, single-family homes, , apartment houses. institutions built in south shore during these years reflected community s growing diversity. 1940 south shore contained 15 protestant churches, 4 roman catholic churches, , 4 jewish synagogues.

as african american families moved south shore in 1950s, white residents became concerned neighborhood s stability. south shore commission initiated program called managed integration , designed check physical decline of community , achieve racial balance. initiative largely unsuccessful on both counts. per 1950 census, south shore had 79,000 residents , 96% white large jewish population. in 1960, population had fallen 73,000 people , 90% white , 10% black. 1970, population had risen 81,000 , 69% black , 28% white. 1980, population had fallen 78,000, 94% black. in 1970s, collaboration between renewal effort service corporation (rescorp) , illinois housing development authority resulted in 2 rehabilitation programs called new vistas . when in 1973 south shore bank attempted relocate loop, federal comptroller of currency denied petition move under pressure local activists. these local activists became new management of bank in 1973. bank s reinvestment in south shore led both residential , commercial revitalization.

by late 1990s south shore had developed middle-class african american community. although commercial strips on 71st , 75th still struggled, developers built shopping plaza @ 71st , jeffery relatively successful. cultural life of area has been enhanced since park district purchased waning south shore country club in 1972, converting cultural center. south shore remains destination desire congenial middle-class community on chicago s south side. south shore current magazine launched mission share news chicago s cultural soul coast. masthead reads: thriving catalyst economic development, reflecting truthful image, , virtual meeting place south shore community.