“Smokey Hollow” That’s what they called River North around 1900. The name came from all the factories and forges here. The smoke was so thick that sunlight struggled to break through.
Welcome to River North. This neighborhood is located north of the Chicago River. It sits south of Division Street and west of Wabash Avenue. River North is next to the Magnificent Mile. This makes it a prime spot in Chicago.
River North has a rich history. It has transformed over the years. It was once an industrial area. Now, it is known for nightlife and art.
Imagine this area filled with railroad tracks. They connected the Chicago River ports to other areas. The Merchandise Mart still has tracks below it. Coal bins were everywhere. They supplied coal to River North’s many factories. The Merchandise Mart served as a storage warehouse. The Kennedy family later bought it. Montgomery Ward also had a large facility here.
River North was also home to Little Sicily. Assumption Parish was the first Italian Roman Catholic Church in Chicago. It served all Italians between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. Sicilians moved north and formed their own parishes. Italians from other regions moved west along Grand Street.
Even during Prohibition, River North played a role. Dean O’Banion, a bootlegger, bought into a flower shop here. It was a front for his illegal activities. The shop was across from Holy Name Cathedral. O’Banion and his rival Weiss even attended Mass there. The rooms above the shop were headquarters for the North Side Gang.
One of the biggest punk rock clubs in the 1970s was in River North. It was named O’Banion’s. It honored the infamous Dean O’Banion.
The River North neighborhood declined in the 1960s. Many families moved to the suburbs. Buildings were torn down. Crime increased.
Assumption Church saw its parishioners move away. Few people lived within its boundaries. The church survived because people traveled from the suburbs to attend Mass.
In 1974, real estate developer Albert Friedman gave River North its current name. He began buying and restoring property. He wanted to attract tenants. The area was a skid row then. Friedman’s efforts paid off. Photographers, ad agencies, and art galleries moved in. River North became the River North Gallery District. It had the largest concentration of art galleries outside Manhattan.
From 1990 to 2012, River North became a nightlife hotspot. Franklin and Hubbard Streets were especially popular. Many high-rises were built. This increased the population of River North.
Today, River North is known for nightlife. You will find bars, dance clubs, restaurants, and entertainment. The design district has shops with luxury furnishings. Kingsbury Park is a residential area with high-rises near Erie Park.
River North continues to evolve. It blends history with modern attractions. This makes it a unique and exciting place to explore.