This small park, nestled between houses on Chicago’s South Side, may seem unassuming at first glance, but its history is rich and fascinating. Welcome to Ohio and Harding Park, a green oasis named after a man who built a castle in his backyard. It wasn’t just any castle; it was full of art, armor, and weapons, a testament to the man’s eclectic interests. The park was established in 1928 to provide recreational facilities for a rapidly changing neighborhood known as Grand Boulevard. This neighborhood was home to wealthy German-Jewish families in the early 1900s, but with the Great Migration, many African-Americans came north seeking opportunity and settled in Grand Boulevard, transforming it into Bronzeville. At the time, the park was a thriving, vibrant place with playground equipment, separate playfields for boys and girls, and a small brick fieldhouse. However, time took its toll on the park’s amenities. The fieldhouse was demolished in 1995, but thankfully, the park itself remains a haven for the community, offering a place for children to play and families to gather. Ohio and Harding Park is a reminder that even in the heart of a bustling city, pockets of history and community spirit endure.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one