“But wait, there’s more.” That’s what you might have heard at the Maxwell Street Market. Today we’re standing before the Maxwell Street Vendor Statue. This statue embodies the spirit of that historic market. It reminds us of a time when Maxwell Street was the place to be in Chicago.
Maxwell Street’s history is rich. It began in the 1880s. Jewish immigrants started settling here. By the 1920s, it was Chicago’s first ghetto. As they prospered, they moved. Mexicans and African-Americans came creating a diverse community. People said the only color that mattered was green.
The market grew to six blocks. Almost 2000 vendors sold goods from carts and stores. On Sundays, 50000 bargain hunters came. Famous businesses started here. Vienna Sausage and Fluky’s Hot Dogs are just two. Nate’s Delicatessen even appeared in “The Blues Brothers”.
Maxwell Street was more than shopping. Southern migrants came north seeking jobs. African-American musicians found a place to play. They created the “Maxwell Street Sound”. This sound mixed Delta blues with urban grit. It became the Chicago Blues.
Businesses gave musicians power for their amps. This drew crowds. Electrified instruments created a new genre. Chess Records recorded Muddy Waters and Little Walter here. They heavily influenced rock and roll.
I was once a young boy on Maxwell Street. My father took me to buy my first suit. This was my introduction to the blues. The merchants provided electricity. The musicians lured customers. It was a lively hub.
Sadly the market declined. Expressways allowed suburban shopping. The Dan Ryan Expressway cut through it. The University of Illinois at Chicago expanded. The city relocated the market in 1994. It still operates on Desplaines Avenue but smaller.
This Maxwell Street Vendor Statue is more than metal. It keeps the market’s memory alive. It stands for the hard work and community. It reminds us of the music and the deals. So next time you pass by remember the stories of Maxwell Street. Remember the vendors. Remember the blues.