Jefferson Park, Chicago

2025-10-10T18:51:08Z

2600:1700:1690:3F90:8489:9388:97DF:6FCE:

{{Short description|Community area in Chicago, Illinois}}
{{About|the neighborhood|the park|Jefferson Park (Chicago park)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Jefferson Park
| official_name = Community Area 11 - Jefferson Park
| other_name =
| nickname = Jeff Park
| settlement_type = {{nowrap|[[Community areas of Chicago|Community area]]}}
| motto = 
| image_skyline = Jefferson Park Bus Hub.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Monument of [[Thomas Jefferson]] in front of the [[Jefferson Park (CTA Blue Line)|Jefferson Park Transit Center]]
| image_map = US-IL-Chicago-CA11.svg
| mapsize =
| map_caption = Location within the city of Chicago
| image_map1 =
| mapsize1 =
| map_caption1 =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| pushpin_mapsize = 
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Illinois
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name2 = [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook]]
| subdivision_type3 = City
| subdivision_name3 = Chicago
| named_for = [[Thomas Jefferson]]
| parts_type = Neighborhoods
| parts_style =
| parts = list
| p1 = [[Gladstone Park, Chicago|Gladstone Park]]
| p2 = [[#Jefferson Park|Jefferson Park]]
| p3 = [[#Norwood Park East|Norwood Park East]]
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 6.09
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_footnotes = <ref name="cmap18">{{cite web|title=Community Data Snapshot - Jefferson Park|url=https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/10180/126764/Jefferson+Park.pdf|website=cmap.illinois.gov|publisher=MetroPulse|access-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref>
| population_total = 26,216
| population_note =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = [[Demographics of the United States|Demographics]] 2018<ref name="cmap18" />
| demographics1_footnotes =
| demographics1_title1 = [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|White]]
| demographics1_info1 = 61.31%
| demographics1_title2 = Black
| demographics1_info2 = 1.10%
| demographics1_title3 = Hispanic
| demographics1_info3 = 24.69%
| demographics1_title4 = Asian
| demographics1_info4 = 10.34%
| demographics1_title5 = Other
| demographics1_info5 = 2.57%
| demographics_type2 = [[Educational attainment in the United States|Educational Attainment]] 2018<ref name="cmap18" />
| demographis2_footnotes =
| demographics2_title1 = High School Diploma or Higher
| demographics2_info1 = 89.54%
| demographics2_title2 = Bachelor's Degree or Higher
| demographics2_info2 = 36.41%

| timezone = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CST]]
| utc_offset = -6
| timezone_DST = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = -5
| coordinates = {{coord|41|58.8|N|87|46.2|W|region:US|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type = [[Zip code|ZIP Codes]]
| postal_code = parts of 60630, 60646
| area_code =
| blank_name = [[Household income in the United States|Median household income]] 2018<ref name="cmap18" />
| blank_info = $76,054
| website =
| footnotes = Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services
}}
'''Jefferson Park''' is one of the 77 [[community areas of Chicago]], located on the northwest side of the city. The [[Neighborhoods in Chicago|neighborhood]] of Jefferson Park occupies a larger swath of territory.<ref>{{cite web|title=Map|url=https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=203805747565416512635.0004aced4d6df067bf9bd|website=Google Maps|url-access=registration}}</ref> It is also named after [[Thomas Jefferson]], the third U.S. president and the [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Father]] who was the main writer of the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jefferson Park |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/667.html |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org}}</ref>

Jefferson Park is bordered by the community areas of [[Norwood Park, Chicago|Norwood Park]] to the northwest, [[Forest Glen, Chicago|Forest Glen]] to the northeast, [[Portage Park, Chicago|Portage Park]] to the south, and the suburb of [[Harwood Heights, Illinois|Harwood Heights]] to the west. The [[Guatemala - United States relations|Guatemalan consulate]] is located in Jefferson Park at 5559 North Elston Avenue.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sula|first=Mike|title=It's not about coffee at Café Antigua|date=June 20, 2019|newspaper=[[Chicago Reader]]|access-date=October 15, 2019
|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/cafe-antigua-guatemalan-cafe-jefferson-park/Content?oid=71114074}}</ref>

==History==
Settlement in the vicinity of Jefferson Park began in the 1830s with [[John Kinzie Clark]] and [[Elijah Wentworth]], whose claim was near what is now the [[Jefferson Park (Metra-CTA)|Jefferson Park Metra Station]], where he operated a tavern and inn. The tiny settlement of traders, hunters, and farmers consisted of simple one and two room [[log cabins]] until Abram Gale, for whom Gale Street is named, built the first frame house in Jefferson. Jefferson Park became the hub of an independent [[civil township|township]] that was incorporated at the nearby Dickinson Tavern as [[Jefferson Township, Cook County, Illinois|Jefferson Township]] in 1850 until annexed by the city of Chicago in 1889. The area was once home to a significant population of [[Volga Germans]], and one of the area's one time local landmarks was a local apartment building in the vicinity of the park along Higgins Avenue known by locals as "the Russian Hotel"''.''{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Jefferson Park is also home to the [http://nwchicagohistory.org/ Northwest Chicago Historical Society] which is dedicated to preserve the area's rich history as well as most historical events and lectures.

On January 21, 2021 a [[Boutique Air]] [[Pilatus PC-12]] was landing at the [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago O'Hare Airport]] when its left main tire separated from the aircraft and landed in Jefferson Park. Police reported the tire, along with several small parts were found on a sidewalk near Leland Avenue. The tire hit two houses before coming to a rest on the sidewalk.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/01/21/wheel-falls-off-small-plane-lands-in-jefferson-park-neighborhood/ | title=Tire Falls off Small Plane, Lands in Jefferson Park Neighborhood }}</ref>

==Jefferson Park (Chicago Park District)==
{{Main|Jefferson Park (Chicago park)}}
[[Image:Jefferson Park in Chicago.JPG|thumb|210px|left|The Chicago Park District's [[Jefferson Park (Chicago park)|Jefferson Park]], with a view of the field house designed by Clarence Hatzfeld]]
[[Jefferson Park (Chicago park)|Jefferson Park]] is a {{convert|7|acre|m2|adj=on}} park operated by the [[Chicago Park District]]. The park, which is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] is located on the site of the Esdohr Farm.

==Education==
Jefferson Park residents are served by [[Chicago Public Schools]], which includes neighborhood and citywide options for students. There are also a number of private parochial schools run by [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Lutheran]] congregations in the area. The [[Chicago Public Library]] operates the Jefferson Park branch for neighborhood residents.

==Politics==
The Jefferson Park community area has supported the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] in the past two presidential elections. In the [[United States presidential election in Illinois, 2016|2016 presidential election]], Jefferson Park cast 6,693 votes for [[Hillary Clinton]] and cast 3,490 votes for [[Donald Trump]] (62.65% to 32.67%).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois/|last=Ali|first=Tanveer|title=How Every Chicago Neighborhood Voted In The 2016 Presidential Election|newspaper=[[DNAInfo]]|date=November 9, 2016|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924090904/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois/|archive-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in Illinois, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Jefferson Park cast 6,019 votes for [[Barack Obama]] and cast 3,129 votes for [[Mitt Romney]] (64.42% to 33.49%).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/obama-romney-president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-2012-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois/|last=Ali|first=Tanveer|title=How Every Chicago Neighborhood Voted In The 2012 Presidential Election|newspaper=[[DNAInfo]]|date=November 9, 2012|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203045330/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/obama-romney-president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-2012-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois/|archive-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[Image:Copernicus_Center_Chicago.jpg|thumb|210px|left|The [http://CopernicusCenter.org/ '''Copernicus Center'''], supported by the Copernicus Foundation is located in Jefferson Park. It houses the former Gateway Theater, as well as a number of other event venues and meeting spaces.]]
Jefferson Park is the home of the historic former [[Gateway Theatre (Chicago)|Gateway Theatre]] [[Movie Palace]] that is now only part of the [[Copernicus Center]]. The Copernicus Center and former Gateway Theatre (renamed the Mitchell P Kobelinski theater) still serve the community as a [[performing arts center]], hosting numerous music concerts, theatrical performances, classes, seminars, community meetings, and cultural events throughout the year. The Copernicus Center is also a voting location for Jefferson Park residents. The Copernicus Center "Annex," which includes both an event space and offices, houses the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce office.

Jefferson Park is also home to the award-winning Gift Theatre Company, a professional theatre company located at 4802 N. Milwaukee co-founded by Jeff Park native [[Michael Patrick Thornton]].

The neighborhood holds two large festivals annually: Jeff Fest in June, and [[Taste of Polonia]] over [[Labor Day]] weekend. [[Christina Madonna]] of "Chicago All Stars" fame is a native of Jefferson Park.

The [[Taste of Polonia]] has brought some of the nation's most prominent political figures to Jefferson Park to woo the support of [[Poles in Chicago|Chicago's Polish community]]. [[President of the United States|President]] [[George H. W. Bush]] hosted the festival in 1992 and in 2000, future [[Vice-President]] [[Dick Cheney]] as well as [[Tipper Gore]], and [[Hadassah Lieberman]] made an appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://quest.cjonline.com/stories/090500/gen_0905005844.shtml|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080513160728/http://quest.cjonline.com/stories/090500/gen_0905005844.shtml|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2008-05-13|title= Quest for the Presidency: Cheney dances, rides public train 09/05/00}}</ref> Vice-President Cheney's presence was particularly notorious with coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' of his lively antics which included dancing the [[polka]], serving attendees [[kielbasa]] with stuffed cabbage and addressing a cheering crowd by shouting the Polish phrase [[Sto Lat]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E2DB1F30F936A3575AC0A9669C8B63|work=The New York Times|title=The 2000 Campaign: Campaign Briefing Published|date=September 5, 2000|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[Image:Jefferson Park Sign.JPG|thumb|150px|right|[[Jefferson Park (CTA Blue Line)|Jefferson Park Transit Center]] sign]]Jefferson Park has long been one of Chicago's transportation hubs, earning the neighborhood the nickname as "The Gateway to Chicago".<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/667.html | title=Jefferson Park }}</ref> The neighborhood is served by a [[Blue Line (Chicago Transit Authority)|Blue Line]] [[Jefferson Park Transit Center|station]] in the median of the [[Kennedy Expressway]] at the intersection of [[Milwaukee Avenue (Chicago)|Milwaukee]] and Gale Street, less than three blocks away from the [[Copernicus Center (Chicago)|Copernicus Center]] and the historic Jefferson Park Congregational Church. The [[Union Pacific / Northwest Line]] also provides service to Jefferson Park. In 2005, a monument to [[Thomas Jefferson]] was placed along the station's entrance along [[Milwaukee Avenue (Chicago)|Milwaukee Avenue]].

== Neighborhoods ==
{{US Census population
|1930=20532
|1940=21537
|1950=23556
|1960=27494
|1970=27553
|1980=24583
|1990=23649
|2000=25859
|2010=25448
|2020=26216
|footnote=<ref>{{cite web|title=Chicago Community Area Data|url=http://www.robparal.com/ChicagoCommunityAreaData.html|website=robparal.com|publisher=Rob Paral and Associates|access-date=December 3, 2017}}</ref><ref name="cmap18"/>
}}

===Jefferson Park===
[[Image:Polish Pastry shop on Milwaukee Avenue in Jefferson Park, Chicago.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Milwaukee Avenue (Chicago)|Milwaukee Avenue]], just south of Lawrence]]
'''Jefferson Park''' is a predominantly middle-class neighborhood of people coming from a variety of diverse backgrounds. Like many neighborhoods on the [[Northwest Side, Chicago|Northwest Side]] of [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]] the neighborhood has a heavy [[Polish-American]] presence, and is home to the [[Copernicus Foundation]], the Polish parish of St. Constance, as well as a host of other Polish-American organizations, institutions and businesses.

Jefferson Park is also known for having a very high number of resident city and county workers. The area is filled with the homes of [[Chicago Public School]] teachers and staff, [[Chicago Police Department]], [[Chicago Fire Department]] as well as [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook County]] [[Sheriff]] officers and staff.

Boundaries are Austin Ave, Chicago River, Railway, Elston Ave, Foster Ave, Edens Expy, Cicero Ave, Montrose Ave, Narraganset Ave, Nagle Ave, Bryn Mawr Ave, Northwest Hwy, Milwaukee Ave.

====Indian Woods Community====
Boundaries are Indian Rd, Central Ave, Ardmore Ave.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.flickriver.com/photos/zol87/3128943395/ | title=Welcome to the Indian Woods Community - a photo on Flickriver }}</ref>
http://www.indianwoods.org/ Originally part of the Forest Glen Community. Also part of the South Edgebrook Neighborhood.

=== Gladstone Park ===
'''Gladstone Park''' is a neighborhood in the northern section of the Jefferson Park [[Community areas of Chicago|community area]] of [[Chicago]]. It is centered at the large and confusing intersection of [[U.S. Route 14 in Illinois|Northwest Highway]] and Central, [[Milwaukee Avenue (Chicago)|Milwaukee]], and Foster Avenues. The [[Kennedy Expressway]] runs nearby as well and has an entrance from Foster Avenue. The park for which the neighborhood is named is located a few blocks to the northwest between [[U.S. Route 14 in Illinois|Northwest Highway]] and [[Milwaukee Avenue (Chicago)|Milwaukee]], on Menard Avenue.

The numerous examples of homes in the [[Dutch Colonial]] style has led to the area's nickname as '''"Little Rotterdam"''', an allusion to the Dutch city of [[Rotterdam]].

Gladstone Park has its own [[Gladstone Park (Metra)|stop]] on the [[Union Pacific / Northwest Line]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Jefferson Park, Chicago}}
* [https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/sites/covid/reports/2020-04-24/ChicagoCommunityAreaandZipcodeMap.pdf Chicago community areas and ZIP codes] City of Chicago

{{Geographic Location
| Center = Jefferson Park, Chicago
| North = [[Niles, Illinois]]
| Northeast = [[Forest Glen, Chicago]]
| East = [[Albany Park, Chicago]]
| Southeast = [[Irving Park, Chicago]]
| South = [[Portage Park, Chicago]]
| Southwest = [[Harwood Heights, Illinois]]
| West = [[Union Ridge, Chicago]]
| Northwest = [[Norwood Park, Chicago]]
}}
{{Community areas of Chicago}}
{{Neighborhoods in Chicago}}
{{Chicago}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Community areas of Chicago]]
[[Category:North Side, Chicago]]
[[Category:Polish-American culture in Chicago]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1850]]

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Jefferson Park, Chicago