The neighborhood of South Lawndale was originally settled by East Europeans, mainly by Germans Czechs, in the late 19th century. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, other ethnic groups, took residences through the years, drawn by employment by industries in the area.
South Lawndale is home to two neighborhoods: Little Village and Marshall Square. Little Village, is referred to by its residents as “Mexico of the Midwest.” A large parade each September is held to celebrate Mexican Independence Day.
Historic sites include Marshall Square Theater, at first a vaudeville venue, then a silent movie theater, Carter Harrison High School, alma mater of clarinet player Benny Goodman and newspaper columnist Irv Kupcinet, and the former Albaugh-Dover mail-order warehouse and factory. Reflecting the Mexican American majority, most restaurants are Mexican, though there are Chinese, Italian and others.
The CTA’s Pink Line cuts through the area providing accessible transportation into downtown Chicago.
