Originally settled in the 1880s, by developers whom cut the trees in Lake View Township (which Edgewater was a part of at the time), clearing the land for potential future development. Lakeview was annexed by the City of Chicago in 1889 after a population explosion.
Prominent developer, John Lewis Cochran named this area of Lakeview and built the first subdivision in the area. Many of these initial homes are still found in the historic part of the neighborhood known as Lakewood Balmoral Historic District. The Bryn Mawr Historic District features opulent mansions and vintage lamp posts. Another historic district – The Bryn Mawr Historic District features opulent mansions along with vintage lamp posts that line the street.
Encompassing a large number of neighborhoods now, Edgewater still retains some of its historic glamour with stately mansions, Neo-Gothic churches and the iconic 1920s pink Edgewater Beach Apartments.
Developed in the 1880s as a location for prestigious residences, it retained its status until the 1950’s. As years went on, Lake Shore Drive was expanded northward to its present day entrance at Hollywood. High rises and condominium developments popped up along the lakefront and in 1980 made into its own distinct neighborhood separating it from Uptown.
Many of Edgewater’s neighborhoods are easily accessible by both the CTA Red Line as well as the Metra train.
