Lost in the mists of time lies the answer to why baby John James Ure’s name was changed to Howard J. Ure. Welcome to Howard Street. This major east-west street in the Chicago metropolitan area is full of history. It even becomes Sibley Street in Park Ridge.
Howard Street serves as the border between Chicago and Evanston. Specifically, it divides Rogers Park and West Ridge in Chicago from Evanston. The street runs intermittently through several north and northwestern suburbs. It ends at Ridge Avenue in Elk Grove Village. In Chicago’s address system, Howard Street is located at 7600 N.
Howard Street was named for Howard Ure. Howard Ure was a developer of the Howard Avenue Trust and Savings Bank in 1922. Later, he became a director at the North Shore National Bank of Chicago. The Ure family donated the right-of-way for Howard Street to the city.
Interestingly, Howard Street was once known as Howard Avenue. The change happened on January 14, 1895. The apparent reason was standardization. Several other changes dealing with Howard occurred in the same ordinance.
Once, Howard Street was wild prairie. John F. Ure, an early settler and dairyman, had a dairy farm here. His farm was near what we know as Birchwood. It was bounded by Rogers Avenue, Calvary Cemetery, Paulina Street, and Clark Street. Mr. Ure asked that the street be named for his son, Howard Ure.
Howard Street transformed into a commercial center thanks to Charles William Ferguson’s vision. In 1910, Ferguson bought land in the Howard Street district. He believed the area had potential because it was a transportation hub. The Northwestern Elevated Railroad Company had a station on Howard Street. Also, the Chicago and Evanston streetcars came to Howard at Clark Street.
The “L,” as it was called, extended to Howard in 1908. At that time, the tracks ran at ground level. In 1922, the present elevated structure was built.
Germania, an area along Howard Street north of Howard, was part of Evanston. It was geographically isolated. Calvary Cemetery was to the north and Lake Michigan to the east. Because of this, it wasn’t getting the improvements it needed. Charles William Ferguson and other developers moved to have the area annexed to Chicago. This happened in 1915.
After joining Chicago, the area boomed. Real estate values on Howard Street shot upwards. Ferguson sold property at Howard and Paulina in 1918 for $18,000. The new owner sold the same land in 1925 for $350,000.
When the Northwestern Elevated Railroad Company opened the Howard Station in 1908, the population grew dramatically. Developers built apartment buildings, especially along the “L” tracks. Ferguson built the Howard Theater Building next to the station in 1918. This movie palace brought visitors and new residents.
The Norshore Theater was built in 1926. It was located just west of the “L” station. It had a capacity of 3,500. The opulent theater had an ornate lobby. It was known for its doll collection in the ladies’ lounge. The Broadmoor Hotel, built in 1922, was near the Howard “L” stop.
The repeal of Prohibition in 1933 aided Howard Street’s nightlife. Rogers Park became “wet.” Before then, it had been “dry.” This was due to its close ties with Evanston and Northwestern University. After repeal, Howard Street became a popular entertainment destination.
Live theatre became part of Howard Street’s entertainment. The Wisdom Bridge Theater opened in 1975. It quickly became one of the leading equity theater companies in Chicago.
Today, Howard Street retains many of its historic structures. These buildings house businesses, non-profits, and restaurants with cuisines from around the world. Howard Street remains a vital transportation hub.
Traveling west on Howard Street from the “L” station, there are no even-numbered addresses. Traveling east, there are odd and even addresses. Now, think about Howard Ure, for whom Howard Street was named, and all the Ure family.