“Bumtown”. That’s quite a nickname, isn’t it? Yet, it’s part of Kensington Park’s vibrant past.
Let’s step into Kensington Park. It is more than just a green space. It holds a rich history linked to Chicago’s industrial age.
Once upon a time, this area was Calumet Junction. It was a small town for rail workers. The Illinois Central and Michigan Central railroads met here in 1852. Kensington Park grew slowly. By 1880, about 400 people lived here. They were German, Irish, Scandinavian, and Yankee. They serviced the railroads and nearby farms.
But Kensington gained another reputation. It became known for its many saloons. The Dutch neighbors in Roseland even called it “Bumtown”. The origin of the name is unclear. It’s safe to say that Kensington offered a different kind of recreation.
Then, George Pullman came along. He built his model town just north of Kensington in 1880. Kensington boomed. Boarding houses, taverns, and small stores opened. They served construction crews and visitors. People took the train to Kensington and walked to Pullman.
The two communities became closely linked. Pullman workers lived in Kensington. Kensington businessmen lived in Pullman. Pullman workers relaxed in Kensington taverns. Kensington saloonkeepers delivered beer in Pullman. Kensington even played a role in the Pullman Strike. The Eiche Turnverein served as strike headquarters. Secord and Hopkins offered credit to strikers. The store was owned by Chicago Mayor John P. Hopkins.
Later, Italians arrived seeking work. Kensington became a center of South Side Italian life. Employment bureaus, travel agencies, and grocery stores catered to them. The San Antonio de Padua Roman Catholic Church reflected this diversity. It had three altars for different Italian groups.
But times changed. Industries closed in the 1960s and 1970s. Kensington’s population shifted. Mexicans and African Americans moved in. By the 1980s, African Americans were the majority. Stores and the police station moved away. The Salem Baptist Church moved into the former St. Salomea building.
In 1998, Kensington’s nineteenth-century identity faded. Led by Salem Baptist Church members, the area voted itself dry. The saloons were gone. “Bumtown” was no more.
Today, Kensington Park offers green space. It offers playgrounds for kids. Kensington Park has a size of 4.88 acres. It stands as a testament to community change. It reflects Chicago’s ever-evolving story. Kensington Park’s median real estate price is $132,976. The average rent is $1,685. Many residences here were built before 1939. A unique mix of people call Kensington Park home. The neighborhood has more single mother households than most in the U.S.. About 23.7% of households do not own a car.
As you wander through Kensington Park remember its past. It was once a rail town. It was a saloon town. It was an Italian enclave. It is now a diverse community. It is still writing its story.