Auburn Gresham

Was this area always so flat? You might be surprised to learn that the land where Auburn Gresham now stands was once a swampy expanse. Imagine a landscape dotted with German and Dutch truck farms, a far cry from the bustling community we see today. This transformation began in the mid-nineteenth century when railroad lines snaked their way through the area, attracting Irish railroad workers and forever changing the face of Auburn Gresham. The year 1889 marked a turning point when the Town of Lake, including Auburn Gresham, was absorbed into the growing city of Chicago. The World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893 proved to be another catalyst for growth. Improved transportation, including new streetcar lines, made Auburn Gresham an attractive destination for those seeking refuge from the increasingly crowded heart of Chicago. Between 1913 and 1918, these streetcar lines stretched even further, solidifying Auburn Gresham’s reputation as an accessible and desirable place to live. Developers seized this opportunity, enticing families from older neighborhoods like Bridgeport and Englewood with promises of a quieter, more spacious life. The strategy worked. Auburn Gresham’s population exploded, tripling between 1920 and 1930. Bungalows, two- and three-flats, and apartment buildings sprouted up, forming the architectural backbone of the community we see today. Despite the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II, Auburn Gresham persevered. The community flourished during the postwar boom, attracting even more residents with its promise of peace and prosperity. This is the Auburn Gresham of today, a community forged from a swamp, shaped by transportation, and forever marked by the waves of immigrants who chose to call it home.