“Longest continuous street in Chicago” is quite the claim to fame isn’t it? North Western Avenue stretches a whopping 27.38 miles. Western Avenue runs from Howard Street in Chicago all the way to the Dixie Highway in Dixmoor. It shows a real slice of Chicago life.
Western Avenue is also known as 2400 West within Chicago’s grid system. This means it lies three miles west of State Street. Imagine that distance. This thoroughfare is a true testament to Chicago’s expansive layout.
From 1851 to 1869, North Western Avenue marked Chicago’s western edge. Being on the edge of town meant it naturally became a popular picnic destination. Riverview Park, once a huge draw, was built at Western and Belmont. The amusement park thrived from 1904 to 1967. Now the Riverview Plaza shopping center stands there. The Belmont District Chicago Police Station and DeVry University are there too.
Rosehill Cemetery also calls North Western Avenue home. It is in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. Many Chicagoans have found their final resting place here.
Getting around on North Western Avenue is easy. Several CTA buses serve the street. Multiple “L” lines also run along it. The Brown Line, Orange Line, Pink Line and Blue Line all stop here. Metra’s BNSF Line stops at Western Avenue and 18th Street.
The 49 Western bus route runs 24/7. It goes from Berwyn Avenue to 79th Street. The X49 Western Express offers weekday rush hour service. The 49B North Western bus runs from Howard Street to Leland Avenue. The 349 South Western bus, operated by Pace, runs from 79th Street to Harvey.
North Western Avenue has a history with parades. The South Side Irish Parade was a huge annual event. It took place on Western between 103rd and 115th Streets. It drew hundreds of thousands of people every year. Public intoxication led to the parade’s cancellation in 2009. However it returned in 2012.
Since 1979, North Western Avenue has hosted the Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade. It’s considered the world’s largest motorcycle parade. Thousands of motorcyclists gather at 87th Street and Western Avenue. They bring toys for the Toys for Tots charity. The parade goes north to Lane Tech at Addison Street. The distance stretches over fifteen miles.
Western Avenue becomes Asbury Avenue at Howard Street. Asbury only exists in Evanston. Unlike Pulaski Road, Western has always kept its name in the city. For a few miles Western turns into Western Boulevard. The split occurs between Garfield Boulevard and 31st Boulevard. Western Boulevard then merges into 31st Boulevard.
In the suburbs North Western Avenue forms a boundary between townships. Worth Township is on the west and Calumet Township is on the east north of 135th Street. Bremen Township is on the west and Thornton Township is on the east from 135th to 183rd Streets. Finally Rich Township is on the west and Bloom Township is on the east south of 183rd Street.
So next time you’re on North Western Avenue remember its history and its importance to Chicago. It’s more than just a street. It’s a piece of Chicago’s story.