Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is one of Chicago's oldest neighborhoods. It
originated as untouched forest and grassland which began to be cultivated by
the late 1820s,. Shopping, dining, schools and public transportation draw
pedestrians to these elegant tree-lined streets at all hours. This now-peaceful
neighborhood was the site of the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre. It also
contains the Biograph Theatre, where legendary gangster John Dillinger was gunned down.
Neighborhood Details
Cost of Housing
Most homes date from the Chicago Fire of 1871 to new construction. Many of the
former are Victorians, including lakefront homes of 5,200 to 7,000 square
feet, going for $900,000 to $2.2 million.
Another 19th Century, Victorian, favorite are three-story, gray-
or brownstones, divided into two or three residences, with hand-crafted
molding and trim, plus original fireplaces. Like contemporary single-family
townhouses with two or three bedrooms, outside decks, and garages, the
"stones" run from $600,000 to $900,000.
Rentals are not cheap, with studios starting at about $950 a month and
large, two-bedrooms going as high as $5,000.
School System
Lincoln Park HighSchool, a very highly rated part of the Chicago public school
system, is here. Prestigious private schools, grades K through 12, include the
Latin School, which Nancy Reagan attended, and Francis Parker. DePaul
University is also here.
Entertainment
Lincoln Park is in close proximity to Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago, the
Lincoln Park Zoo and a namesake 1,200-acre green space with running, biking and
skating paths.
Boutiques line Clark Street. Steppenwolf, Royal George and Victory Gardens
theaters provide cultural activities.
Transportation
The neighborhood draws masses of tourists, making for streets that are often
congested. Parking is almost impossible without an overnight permit, but you
can walk everywhere, even for groceries.
A mere 1½ miles from Downtown, Lincoln Park boasts the "L"
(short for "elevated") trains that take you anywhere in the city
safely and cheaply. Non-rush hour auto commutes take about ten minutes.
