Bronzeville

Bronzeville is a neighborhood located on Chicago's South Side, in the Douglas Community Area. From the 1920s through the 1940s, Bronzeville was home to the city's wealthier African Americans. During this period, many nice homes were constructed, and later were for the most part subdivided into apartments. Fortunately, many of these large homes survive to this day due to the loving care of their residents. Currently, Bronzeville is undergoing gentrification,  but is in a stage where both rich and poor reside in the neighborhood. Businesses vary a lot as well, from T-Mobile stores on Pershing to Pan-African restaurants on King, though the neighborhood is mostly residential in character. The neighborhood appears to have many residents who own their homes, so hopefully this will stem some of the worse effects of gentrification. Many famous African Americans have lived here, including Louis Armstrong, Ida B. Wells, and Gwendolyn Brooks. Bronzeville also seems to have a strong sense of community, with many of the residents exchanging words as they pass by. Bound by 26th Street, State Street, Pershing Road, and Lake Michigan, the neighborhood is quite walkable, and also fairly bike friendly. Many Divvy Stations exist here, and bike lanes can be found on King, 26th, 31st, Cottage Grove, and Oakwood. The Lakefront Trail runs through the neighborhood as well. Transit-wise, the CTA Red Line operates 24/7 with frequent service, and serves the neighborhood with the Sox-35th Station. The Green Line operates with frequent service as well, and serves the neighborhood through the 35th-Bronzeville-IIT and Indiana Stations. The Metra Electric Service operates infrequent, seven day a week commuter service to Bronzeville via the 27th Street Station. The Metra Rock Island District also serves Bronzeville with infrequent, seven day a week commuter service through the 35th Street/"Lou" Jones/Bronzeville Station. CTA Buses 1 Bronzeville/Union Station, 3 King Drive, 4 & N4 Cottage Grove (24/7 Service), 21 Cermak, 24 Wentworth, 29 State, 35 31st/35th, and 39 Pershing all serve the neighborhood, most with frequent service.