Irving Park, Chicago

Neighborhoods

Old Irving Park

'Old Irving Park' aka 'Grayland' is a neighborhood within the Irving Park Community Area of Chicago, comprising its historical core. Its borders are Montrose to the north, Addison to its south, Pulaski Road to the east and Cicero to the west, those of the original two farms that developed here in the 1870s.

The Villa

The Villa district () - (Pulaski Road to the west, Addison to the south, Avondale Avenue to the north and east), was built in 1902 by a number of architects, many of them visibly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style of architecture. Most notable among these were bungalows designed by the architectural firm of Hatzfeld and Knox, whose partner Clarence Hatzfeld would later design the fieldhouse and natatorium at Portage Park. The area was originally developed as the "Villa addition to Irving Park" and showcases many unique Craftsman and Prairie style homes fronting on picturesque boulevard style streets. Although St. Wenceslaus church, a majestic Romanesque Revival-Art Deco hybrid draws many of the visitors touring the area, this historic church is actually a few blocks south of the district's formal boundaries.

Independence Park

'Independence Park' is a neighborhood within Irving Park that was developed in the 1800s. It shares its name with a park of the same name. Its borders are Irving Park Road to the north, the Kennedy Expressway to the west, Elston Avenue and Central Park Avenue to the east, and Addison Street to the south.

West Walker

'West Walker' is an area bounded by Irving Park Rd to the South, Central Park Ave to the East, Montrose Ave to the North and Pulaski St to the West. The 'West Walker Triangle' is an enclave within West Walker that comprises the area bounded by Irving Park Road to the south, Pulaski Road to the west, and Elston Avenue to the northeast.

California Park

'California Park' is a neighborhood located in the eastern portion of Irving Park that began development in the 1920s. Understated single-family homes and family-owned businesses are a common feature. Its borders are Montrose Ave. to the north, Addison St. to the south, Kedzie Ave. to the west, and the Chicago River to the east.

Kilbourn Park

Kilbourn Park (Milwaukee to the north, Belmont to the south, the Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line to the east, and Cicero to the west) is a primarily middle class residential and industrial area. Although technically part of the Irving Park community area, the neighborhood is more akin to neighboring Avondale in terms of both its built environment and the sociology of its residents.

Avondale Gardens

Avondale Gardens (also known as Merchant Park) (Addison to the north, Belmont to the south, the Union Pacific Northwest Line to the West, Pulaski Road to the east) has been in recent years relabeled as "South Old Irving Park" by some. Like Kilbourn Park, the neighborhood is more akin to neighboring Avondale in terms of both its built environment and the sociological makeup of its residents than other areas of the Irving Park Community Area. The name Merchant Park owes its name to John and Clara Merchant, whose house in Old Irving has been designated an official landmark by the City of Chicago.

Little Cassubia

Little Cassubia () was a historical neighborhood in the Irving Park Community Area between Irving Park on the North, Addison to the South, Kimball to the West and Kedzie to the East. The name "Little Cassubia" was coined by locals because of the Kaszub people living in the area, who also founded the Roman Catholic Parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Education

Chicago Public Schools operates public schools in the area. The Kedvale campus of Disney II Magnet School is located in the Old Irving Park neighborhood.

Chicago Jewish Day School is in the community area.

Politics

The Irving Park community has supported the Democratic Party in the past two presidential elections by large margins. In the 2016 presidential election, Irving Park cast 15,179 votes for Hillary Clinton and cast 2,673 votes for Donald Trump (80.44% to 14.17%). In the 2012 presidential election, Irving Park cast

13,415 votes for Barack Obama and cast 3,323 votes for Mitt Romney (78.03% to 19.33%).

Notable people

Aimee Garcia (born 1978), actress (The George Lopez Show, Lucifer, Dexter). She spent part of her childhood in Irving Park.
John Nuveen (1864–1948), founder of The John Nuveen Co. which sold the bonds which funded Wacker Drive and Grant Park. He lived in Irving Park during his twenties.
Frank Piatek (born 1944), artist and educator, born and raised in Irving Park.
Chuck Nergard (1929–2017), Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1967 to 1976 and 1978 to 1990. He was a resident of 4212 North Monticello Avenue during the 1940 and 1950 United States Censuses.
Jeff Tweedy (born 1967), songwriter, musician, and record producer best known as the singer and guitarist of the band Wilco. He is a resident of Irving Park as of 2019.
William Supernaw (born 1952), Founder of the semi professional baseball team, Irving Park White Sox, who played at Horner Park from 1971-1981.