Many Chicago neighborhoods were named after individuals who
"discovered" the area, built the first homestead there, or donated land
to the city for expansion, etc… But this north side Chicago
neighborhood was a little different. You see, a band of real estate
investors bought the land and proudly named it after themselves. The
Ravenswood Land Company hoped to attract Chicago's well-to-do gentry to
Ravenswood because they wanted to get the most money for their
property. The company's wheelings and dealings included the sale of
larger lots to wealthy landowners and adding a railroad stop to entice
other well-off families to relocate to the neighborhood. From farmland
and forests to contemporary shops and modern conveniences, this area
(bound by Foster Avenue, the Chicago River, Clark Street and Montrose
Avenue) grew to be a thriving, self-sufficient Chicago community.
A number of the grand homes from Ravenwood's earlier era are still around today and look like they could be on the cover of Architectural Digest.
These gorgeous neighborhood mansions stand on wide tree-lined streets
side-by-side with rehabbed single-family homes and new construction
condominiums. Unlike congested parts of the city, there is sufficient
street parking in Ravenswood (a big plus for people looking to buy
property) and more green grass than we're used to seeing Chicago. Real
estate prices in Ravenswood are moderate, but those elegant vintage
houses up the value quite a bit. While a condo ranges between $150,000
and $300,000, single-family residences in this neighborhood are likely
to cost in the $400,000s and a stately manor house easily goes for $1
million+.
Another perk of living in Ravenswood is the vast
Sulzer Regional Library, one of two regional libraries in Chicago.
Students of all grade levels and disciplines have clocked in hour upon
hour at the study tables, which rest up against the building's big
glass windows, reading textbooks, researching projects and writing
papers from their laptop computers. Just up the street on Lincoln
Avenue, at the Old Town School of Folk Music, students of the arts
learn how to strum, drum and jam on every conceivable instrument. This
legendary institution offers classes for every generation of musician
and also hosts performances in its 400-seat auditorium.
Across
from the Sulzer Regional Library is Welles Park, where you'll find
tennis courts, a playground and baseball fields. The site was
established in 1910 and it was the starting-off point for one community
league basketball coach in particular (Abe Saperstein) who later became
the founder of a group of twirling basketball players called the Harlem
Globetrotters. Summer is an especially busy time at Welles Park and it
is often packed with families, athletes and musicians – whose concerts
draw people from all over the city. Another well-used park in the
Ravenswood neighborhood is Winnemac Park, along North Leavitt. This
forty-acre space has soccer and softball fields as well as a prairie
garden and nature trails.
Ravenswood's dining scene is also
quite active with an international array of restaurant choices. If you
have an appetite for Japanese and have mastered the art of eating with
chopsticks, Tank Sushi is a delightful spot to grab a bite. Celebrate a
special occasion at Bistro Campagne, an intimate French café with an
excellent wine selection, and eat outside if the weather permits. There
is always the Daily Bar & Grill, a local favorite, if a burger and
large salad is what you're hungry for.
Many Chicago
neighborhoods consider themselves to be "the best kept secret in town."
With an ever-growing commercial district, fabulous residential areas,
and all sorts of opportunities to enjoy the good life, Ravenswood is
having a tough time keeping its reputation as a top Chicago destination
under wraps!
