Racine

“Did you ever imagine a street named after a playwright?” I ask, gesturing dramatically towards Racine Avenue. Racine Avenue. A seemingly ordinary Chicago street, yet its very name whispers tales of both local and far-flung origins. It may be named for the Wisconsin city of Racine, a nod to the Midwest connection. Or perhaps, and this is where it gets fascinating, it honors Jean Racine, the celebrated 17th-century French dramatist. Imagine, a street in Chicago echoing the words and rhythms of a playwright from centuries ago! Racine Avenue stretches an impressive distance, from 4746 N. to 12258 S., traversing various Chicago neighborhoods, each with its own unique flavor. It has even worn other names throughout its history: Racine Rd., Ann St., Central Ave., among others. At one point, the section of Racine Avenue between 4500 N. and 4799 N. was known as both Pemberton Street and Pemberton Avenue. A street of many identities! Now, let’s travel back to 1895. The Chicago Blue Book listed Racine Avenue in the North Division, running from 550 Clybourn Avenue north to Belmont Avenue, not quite reaching the Rogers Park neighborhood we know today. Years later, in 1905, this area around Racine Avenue in Lincoln Park was a mix of industry and working-class homes. Streetcars rattled along a single track on Racine Avenue, part of the Larrabee line’s northern terminal. Nearby, the small St. Vincent’s College served around 200 students. Fast forward a century, and St. Vincent’s has blossomed into DePaul University, a bustling campus with over 20,000 students. The surrounding area, once a working-class neighborhood, has transformed into what some call the “DePaul neighborhood”. This street has seen so much change, felt the pulse of industry and academia, and carried the echoes of names from near and far. So next time you’re on Racine Avenue, remember the stories it holds, from Wisconsin roots to French playwrights, from humble beginnings to a bustling university hub.