Doesn’t it seem like Devon Avenue stretches on forever? It begins at Sheridan Road. That is where Chicago meets Lake Michigan. Devon runs west. It merges with Higgins Road near O’Hare International Airport. But wait, there’s more. Devon continues on the opposite side of the airport. It runs through Chicago’s northwestern suburbs.
Devon Avenue is not just any street. It is a vibrant tapestry of cultures and histories. Originally, it was named Church Road. In the 1880s, Edgewater developer John Lewis Cochran renamed it. He chose the name Devon after Devon Station. That station was on the Main Line north of Philadelphia.
Over time, Devon Avenue became home to many immigrant groups. The most evident is between Kedzie and Ridge Avenues in West Ridge. Here, you’ll find concentrations of Jewish Americans. You will also see Assyrian Americans, and Russian Americans. Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Pashtun Americans are here, too. This area reflects a mosaic of traditions.
In recognition of its cultural richness, portions of Devon have been renamed. They honor Golda Meir and Mahatma Gandhi. Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman are also honored. These names reflect the diverse communities.
“Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe” is on Devon Avenue. It is better known as “F.R.E.E. of Chicago.” This organization is headquartered in the Orthodox-Jewish section. Many Soviet and CIS immigrants of Jewish ancestry settled here. They arrived in Chicago. After settling in, many moved to the north suburbs. Skokie and Buffalo Grove were especially popular. The vibrancy of this area is not as apparent as it was in the past. Mass emigration occurred in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. Still, many immigrants, especially the elderly, remain on Devon.
Devon’s Desi corridor is famous. It is one of the best-known and largest communities of its kind in North America. This exists mainly on Devon between Ravenswood and California Avenues. South Asian shops and restaurants abound. Patel Brothers opened their first location here in 1974. It has become a popular tourist destination. One writer noted that Devon Street’s sidewalks are even speckled with paan stains.
Devon Avenue has become a hub for Rohingya refugees. They are fleeing persecution in Myanmar. More than 2,000 Rohingya have settled nearby. They live in West Ridge and Rogers Park. The Rohingya Culture Center opened in 2016. It serves the needs of this growing community.
Other points of interest are along Devon Avenue. These include Superdawg and Loyola University Chicago. DePaul University’s O’Hare Campus is here too. You can find Bryn Mawr Country Club and Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov High School. Edgebrook Golf Course and Thillens Stadium are on Devon. Novelty Par Mini Golf Course is a fun place. Parts of the Forest Preserve and Misericordia/Heart of Mercy are nearby.
Devon Avenue is served by the 155 Devon bus. This runs between Sheridan Road and Kedzie Avenue. The 36 Broadway, 88 Higgins, and 151 Sheridan buses serve shorter segments. These provide access to different parts of the city.
So, next time you’re on Devon Avenue, remember its journey. It changed from Church Road to a cultural melting pot. It is a testament to Chicago’s diverse and dynamic spirit. This is a place where different worlds meet and create something unique.