What’s in a name? Fullerton Avenue. It stretches over 21 miles. It connects Chicago to its western suburbs.
Fullerton Avenue is more than just a street. It’s a journey through history. It is a testament to Chicago’s growth. The avenue got its name from Alexander N. Fullerton. He was one of Chicago’s first lawyers.
Let’s explore the story of Fullerton Avenue. It begins in Carol Stream. It ends at Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.
The road splits in many places. Freeways and railroads cause these splits. Fullerton Avenue changes names along the way. From Halsted Street to its east end, it is Fullerton Parkway.
Imagine trolley buses running on Fullerton Avenue in 1967. Factories and warehouses lined the street. DePaul University was just beginning to expand. Today, the trolley buses are gone. The DePaul area has transformed. It’s a model of urban gentrification.
Fullerton Avenue has many segments. One segment turns into Liberty Drive in Glendale Heights. Another becomes Helen Street in Lombard. The longest segment runs 7.9 miles. It starts where Grand Avenue turns south.
You can hop on the 74 Fullerton bus. It services the street from Halsted Street to Grand Avenue. The Red Line, Brown Line, and Purple Line have a station at Sheffield Avenue. The Milwaukee District North Line’s Healy station is at Fullerton and Pulaski Road.
Avondale sits near Fullerton Avenue. This neighborhood has a rich history. It was once a racially integrated village. Factories sprang up in the early 20th century. European immigrants came for the jobs.
Avondale was home to one of Chicago’s “Seven Lost Wonders”. It was the Olson Park and Waterfall complex. Today, Avondale is known as “Where Eastern Europe meets Latin America”.
Kosciuszko Park is also near Fullerton Avenue. It is known as “The Land of Koz”. The park is named after Tadeusz Kosciuszko. He was a Polish patriot. The park hosts community gatherings.
Dad’s Root Beer was founded in Avondale in 1937. The company had a bottling plant here. Today, the factory is condominiums.
Fullerton Avenue has seen many changes. From trolley buses to gentrification. From factories to condominiums. Yet, Fullerton Avenue remains a vital part of Chicago. It connects communities. It carries history. It is Fullerton Avenue.