Why do they call it …
Halsted Street
William H. and Caleg O. Halsted were Philadelphia bankers who helped finance Mayor William Ogden’s real estate ventures. Halsted was once called First Street, then Dryer Street. In the 1900’s it was called “Migration Mile” because of all the immigrant groups that settled along the street.
Dayton Street
Wm Lewis Dayton (1807-1864) was the first Vice Presidential Candidiate of the
Republcan Party in 1856
Fremont Street
General John Charles Fremont (1813-1890) was an American explorer, politician and soldier. He explored the frontier West and in 1856 was the first presidential candidate of the Republican Party.
Bissell Street
William Henry Bissell, a pre Civil War governor of Illinois, was best known for accepting a challenge to a duel from Jefferson Davis, the future president of the Confederacy. Bissell was a physican and a lawyer and also was the governor of Illinois from 1857 to 1860.
Sheffield Ave
Joseph Sheffield (1797-1882) came to Chicago from Connecticut and established a truck farm and nursery in the 1830’s. In 1856, Sheffield became a founder and charter director of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad.
Kenmore Ave
Kenmore was the elegant colonial home in Fredericksburg, Virginia of Colonel Fielding Lewis. Lewis’ wife was Betty. She was General George Washington’s sister
Maud Ave
The best bet is that this street was named for Maud Long, daughter of Chicago Alderman Daniel Long . Or the street was named for Maud, Pennsylvania.
Willow Street
There once were a great many willow trees along this street Wisconsin Street 1900 N. From 200 W to 1147 W Named for the state of Wisconsin. It is a Sauk Indian word which means “Wild rushing channel”
North Ave
When Chicago was incorporated in 1837, North Ave. was the city’s Northern boundary
Clybourn
Archibald Clybourne (1802-1872) was the first and perhaps the only man to build a 20 room mansion next to a Chicago Stockyard. He is also the only man to build a stockyard in 1829. He was one of the earliest Chicago Butcher. He was the first constable of the Chicago region in addition to being a justice of the peace and a school trustee.
Armitage
There are three different Armitage Stories. The first is Thomas Armitage (1819-1896). He was a clergyman who was a founder of the American Bible Union in New York. Or Edward R. Armitage, a Northwest Side Alderman from 1919 to 1923. Or John Armitage who was an artist from England. He drew the definitive picture of the Great Chicago Fire.
Hallee Patterson, Ranch Historian
