Montclare

Tucked away in Chicago’s Northwest Side, Montclare isn’t flashy or loud. It whispers stories of a simpler time. Montclare began as a humble 90-acre claim staked by William Sayre in 1836. Imagine a vast prairie landscape, the quiet broken only by the rustle of tall grasses and Sayre surveying his future. He officially purchased the land in 1838, marrying Harriet Lovett a year later. They built their first home, a simple frame house, marking the beginning of Montclare’s residential history. The Chicago & Pacific Railroad Company arrived in 1872, establishing Sayre Station on Sayre’s land. Developers arrived soon after, platting another farm and naming the budding town Montclare, a nod to Montclair, New Jersey. The railroad’s failure in 1873 slowed Montclare’s initial growth, but the resilient community of 120 residents persisted, primarily farming and relying on a single daily train. The arrival of the Grand Avenue streetcar in 1912 finally sparked real growth. The Sayre family generously donated land for community use in 1916, which would eventually become Rutherford-Sayre Park, a green space bisected by the railroad tracks. Montclare truly blossomed in the 1920s with the arrival of utilities and paved streets. Bungalows became the dominant housing style, reflecting the area’s suburban character. While some residents worked in nearby factories, many commuted to other areas. Montclare continued to expand north of Diversey Avenue in the 1930s, adding ranches and Tudor houses to its architectural mix. The community has always maintained a close-knit feel, more akin to a suburb than a bustling city neighborhood. Montclare, a quiet neighborhood on Chicago’s edge, offers a unique blend of history and community.