McKinley Park’s settlement began around 1836 when immigrants working on the Illinois & Michigan Canal took squatter’s rights to small tracts of land in the area. McKinley Park, as well as the park sharing its namesake, was being developed when President McKinley was assassinated.
The completion of the Canal in 1848, then the railroad in 1857 spurred further development in the area. After the Chicago Fire of 1871, many factories and industry relocated to the area. As industry prospered, pollution became problematic, but growth still continued.
The Park of the same name doubled its original acreage in 1906, and has a lagoon with several islands, gymnasiums, an auditorium and meeting rooms.
Two, three and four flats dominate the neighborhood, but with growing demand recently, new infill housing has started to appear in the area. The CTA’s Orange Line passes through the area.
