East Side

Is it possible for a neighborhood to feel like an island? That’s the question that comes to mind here in Chicago’s East Side. Cut off by the Calumet River to the north and west, Lake Michigan to the east, and Eggers Grove to the south, East Side has a distinct character. East Side got its name from its location on the east side of the Calumet River. It’s not on the eastern side of the city as some might assume. For decades, life here was tied to the Calumet River and the industries it supported. Steel mills like Republic Steel dominated the landscape, bringing jobs but also labor unrest. The tragic Memorial Day Massacre of 1937, where striking workers were fired upon by police, is a stark reminder of the struggles faced. The East Side wasn’t just steel though. The community had its own park on Lake Michigan, Calumet Park, offering respite from the industrial grind. And for those seeking a deeper escape, there was Eggers Grove Forest Preserve, fondly known as Eggers Woods. Today, the face of East Side is changing. The steel mills are mostly silent, and the neighborhood is now predominantly Hispanic. But a strong sense of community remains, woven from generations of families who built lives here.