‘Beautiful’ is the meaning of Hermosa in Spanish. The Hermosa community in Chicago is calling. Hermosa is one of Chicago’s 77 designated community areas. It sits on the city’s northwest side.
Hermosa includes the Kelvyn Park and Hermosa neighborhoods. Walt Disney was born here. The Schwinn Bicycle Company once had its headquarters in Hermosa. Though small Hermosa is densely populated.
The first settlers arrived in the early 1880s. This followed the construction of railroads through the area. In 1872, the Chicago and Pacific Rail Road extended its line through Hermosa. One of the first residents was Mr. Lathman. He built his house in 1882. James F. Keeney also built houses. His subdivision makes up much of Hermosa today.
The Laminated Wood Company was founded in 1884. It was Hermosa’s first large industrial enterprise. Several factories followed in 1886. These included the Expanded Metal Company and the Eclipse Furnace Company. The Keeney Company promoted Hermosa’s growth. It convinced the railroad to build a station. Mr. Kenney paid for it himself. By 1884, Hermosa had 30 houses and 150 residents. Most were immigrants from Scotland, Germany, and Sweden. Schools and churches appeared in the late 1880s and 1890s.
Hermosa may have first been called “Pacific.” But the first official name was Garfield. This honored the late president. In 1885, the name changed to Hermosa. This was to establish a post office at Kenney’s rail station. Another Garfield post office already existed. Mr. Peebles suggested the name Hermosa. He was secretary to the superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Rail Road.
Hermosa became part of Chicago in 1889. The area grew slowly at first. Simple worker’s cottages were built. Rapid growth occurred in the early 20th century. Streetcars extended through Hermosa. The Hermosa Improvement Association formed in 1912. It aimed to secure improvements, including a park. The association helped establish Hermosa Park. By 1920, Hermosa had over 15,000 residents.
A building boom occurred in the 1920s. Most of Kelvyn Park was built then. Brick bungalows and two-flats were common. The remaining land in southern Hermosa filled with similar buildings. Schwinn Bicycle Company had facilities in Hermosa from 1895 to 1982. Railroads created dead-end streets. This isolated residents but also created security. By 1929, Hermosa’s infrastructure was complete. Today the average home in Hermosa dates back to 1919. Almost two-thirds of structures were built before 1940.
Hermosa’s population exceeded 23,500 by the 1930s. Germans and Scandinavians were the primary residents. Later groups included Poles, Hungarians, and Austrians. The population declined in the 1950s and 1960s. By the 1960s, Puerto Ricans were the largest ethnicity. In 1980, the population fell below 20,000. Over a third were Hispanic. Hermosa transformed into a majority Hispanic community in the 1980s.
Puerto Ricans remained the largest group. A large Mexican community also settled in Hermosa. Most Hispanic growth occurred south of Fullerton Avenue. Household sizes increased. The population of children under 13 grew. Total population increased by 3,500 in the 1980s. Poverty and unemployment rose. Overcrowded housing doubled. Gang violence appeared. Organizations formed to combat these issues.
Population increases helped Hermosa reach nearly 27,000 residents in 2000. It became one of Chicago’s most densely populated areas. By 2000, Hermosa was 84% Hispanic. Overcrowding and gang violence subsided in the 1990s.
Many renovations have improved Hermosa’s housing stock. Gentrification has occurred recently. Housing prices have increased since 2012-2014. Hermosa is among Chicago’s top communities with rising housing prices.
Walt Disney was born in Hermosa on December 5, 1901. His parents designed and built the house. It is located at 2156 North Tripp Avenue. The city tried to make it a Historic Landmark in 1991. The owner fought the designation. New owners bought the home in 2013. They plan to restore it and seek landmark status.
St. Philomena Catholic Church is a notable structure. It was founded in 1894. St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ was established in 1900. Walt Disney was baptized there. Today, St. Paul is known as Iglesia Evangelica Bautista Betania.
Industry is important in Hermosa. Manufacturing is the top sector of employment. Health care is the number one sector for Hermosa residents in any neighborhood.
Hermosa is a vibrant community with a rich history. From its early days as a suburban settlement to its current status as a densely populated, diverse neighborhood, Hermosa has always been a place of growth and change. As you explore its streets and parks, remember the stories of the people who have shaped this unique corner of Chicago.