Unveiling a street named after a man of integrity. Kedzie Avenue stretches over 20 miles. It runs from Olympia Fields to Chicago’s northern border. Today we will explore its vibrant history.
Kedzie Avenue is named for John H. Kedzie. He was a real estate developer. He spoke against slavery. He was an early member of the Republican Party. Family records claim he never violated civil law. He was temperate and never dependent on charity. He paid one hundred cents on the dollar.
Did you know that Kedzie Avenue runs through many Chicago neighborhoods? Mount Greenwood and Ashburn are two. It also passes through Chicago Lawn and Gage Park. Brighton Park and Little Village are on its path. Lawndale and East Garfield Park are too. Humboldt Park and Logan Square also border Kedzie. Avondale, Irving Park, Albany Park, North Park and West Ridge complete the list. Kedzie even touches several suburbs. Olympia Fields, Flossmoor and Homewood are included. Hazel Crest, Markham and Posen also fall on its route. Midlothian, Robbins, Blue Island, Alsip and Merrionette Park are other suburbs along Kedzie. Evergreen Park and Evanston are also part of Kedzie Avenue’s extensive reach.
Let’s talk about transportation. Kedzie Avenue is well-served by transit. Several Chicago “L” lines stop here. The Brown Line has a stop at Kedzie. The Blue Line stops at Logan Square and Kedzie–Homan. The Green Line also has a Kedzie stop. The Pink and Orange Lines serve Kedzie too. Metra lines also serve Kedzie Avenue. The Union Pacific West Line stops at Kedzie. The SouthWest Service stops at Wrightwood. The Rock Island District stops at Robbins. The Metra Electric District stops at Olympia Fields.
Two CTA bus routes primarily serve Kedzie Avenue. Route 52 runs from Chicago Avenue to 63rd Place. Route 52A runs from the Kedzie Orange Line station to 115th Street. Bus route 11 runs along Kedzie Avenue from Devon Avenue to Howard Street. In the south suburbs, Pace bus route 359 runs along Kedzie Avenue. It stretches from 139th Street to 183rd Street.
Between Palmer Street and Logan Boulevard, Kedzie Avenue becomes Kedzie Boulevard. This section is part of Chicago’s boulevard system. Remember Nabisco? The world’s largest bakery once stood on South Kedzie Avenue. It was located at 7300 South Kedzie Avenue.
Kedzie Avenue offers a glimpse into Chicago’s diverse tapestry. Its history is rich. Its neighborhoods are vibrant. Its transportation options are plentiful. As we conclude our tour, remember John H. Kedzie. He was a man of principle. His name lives on through this iconic Chicago street.