Pilsen: Lower West Side, Chicago

Path from Loyola:Take the Red line to LakeTransfer to the Pink line, take the pink line to18th

How to get to Pilsen

Brief History• Pilsen is a neighborhood made up of the residential sections of the

Lower West Side of Chicago. In the late 19th century, Pilsen was inhabited by peoples from Eastern Europe most prominently those from the Austro-Hungarian Empire

• Like many early 20th century American urban neighborhoods, Pilsen was home to the wealthy as well as the working class

• In the early 70’s Pilsen became increasingly Mexican as people were forced to move when their former small enclave to the North of Pilsen was torn down to make room for the University of Illinois at Chicago

• Pilsen’s rich Neo-Bohemian Baroque architectural heritage as well as its proximity to the Loop continue to strengthen its position as a neighborhood set for revival as reinvestment in Chicago’s inner-city neighborhoods continue to strengthen.

Demographics/EconomicsMedian Income - $20,571

Demographics - 92.2% Hispanic, 5.7% Caucasian, 2.1% African American

Commonest spoken languages: Spanish and English

What did we see/Attractions:1. National Museum of Mexican Art -Showcasing the beauty and richness of Mexican

art, this museum continues to amplify itself by hosting events and providing new exhibitions for the community and for visitors.  Today, the museum has been identified as one of the most prominent first-voice institutions for Mexican art and culture in the United States 

2. Nuevo Leon- This restaurant is the heart of Pilsen. They serve authentic Mexican food and offer home-style service that has made it a favorite for locals

Attractions cont.Pilsen is very well know for their Hispanic inspired art

Group Reflection

Traveling to Pilsen in a group really enhanced the experience for all of the members.  It enabled us to be in a comfortable environment with each other while exploring a new environment.  The aspect we, as a group, most enjoyed about Pilsen was the high involvement of art and creative expressions in the visual environment.  The buildings all reflected this in the colorful murals and paintings.  Since many of the group members did not come from neighborhoods with strong Hispanic influence, as found in Pilsen, it was an eye-opening experience to see street signs written in Spanish and shops catering to a different cultural taste.  Overall, we very much enjoyed the trip because it offered a chance to visit a relatively under-appreciated part of Chicago.

CitationsHistory of Pilsen and Little Village." — San Jose Obrero Mission. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.

"Lower West Side (Pilsen) Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois (IL), 60608, 60616 Detailed Profile." Lower West Side (Pilsen) Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois (IL), 60608, 60616 Subdivision Profile. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.

"Pilsen, Chicago." Pilsen. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.

"Pilsen." Chicago Real Estate. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.