Neighborhood Guide

Bucktown

Neighborhood Description

Bucktown is a neighborhood located in the east of the Logan Square community area in Chicago northwest of the Loop. Its boundaries are the Chicago River to the east, Western Avenue to the west, North Avenue to the south and West Fullerton Avenue to the north.[3] It is primarily residential, with a mix of older single family homes, new builds with edgy architecture, and converted industrial loft spaces. The neighborhood's origins are rooted in the Polish working class, which first began to settle in the area in the 1830s.[citation needed] A large influx of Germans began in 1848 and in 1854 led to the establishment of the town of Holstein, which was eventually annexed into Chicago in 1863. Additional population influxes include European Jews, Mexican immigrants and Puerto Rican migrants. Puerto Ricans concentrated along Damen and up Milwaukee Avenue from the 50's until the 80's. They supported the Young Lords and other groups that campaigned in the 80's and voted strongly for Harold Washington's victorious,mayoral campaign which called for "Neighborhoods First" not city hall. In the last quarter of the 20th century, a growing artists' community led directly to widespread gentrification, which brought in a large population of young professionals. Bucktown is directly north from Wicker Park. In 2001 there was a large influx of what are known to be "hipster doofus'", this migration was mainly wealthy children of hard working successful businessmen from the neighboring Northwest suburbs. Their love for unknown artists and tight pants have established them as a well known presence in the area. Their population is continuing to grow and the question "have you heard of Cut Copy?" grows with them. There are many bars and restaurants in the vicinity and there has been a large number of "teardowns" of the older housing stock - replacing them with new and large residential buildings. There is a significant amount of shopping on Damen Avenue from North Avenue (in Wicker Park) going north until Webster Avenue. Bucktown is readily accessible on the Blue Line. Bucktown gets its name from the large number of goats raised in the neighborhood during the 19th century. A male goat is a buck. The original Polish term for the neighborhood was Kozie Prery (Goat Prairie).  Rent Smart Chicago is your resource for Chicago apartments, lofts, condos and homes in Bucktown.

Neighborhood Links
Wicker Park & Buctown Chamber of Commerce

Resources in Bucktown

Post Office
1635 W Division [Zip Codes: 60614, 60618, 60622, 60639, 60647]

Schools

Library
Damen Avenue Library
2056 N. Damen

Grocery Stores