History Commons^™

Avondale And Chicago's Polish Village, Jacob Kaplan, Daniel Pogorzelski, Rob Reid, Elisa Addlesperger

Elisa E. Addlesperger

[Back cover] Home to Chicago’s Polish Village, impressive examples of sacred and industrial architecture, and the legendary Olson Waterfall, Avondale is often tagged as “the neighborhood that built Chicago.” Images of America: Avondale and Chicago’s Polish Village sheds light on the little known history of the community, including its fascinating industrial past. From its beginnings as a sleepy subdivision started by a Michigan senator, it became a cultural mecca for Chicago’s Polish community, playing a crucial role in Poland’s struggles for independence. Other people also called Avondale home, such as Scottish proprietors, African American freedmen, Irish activists, Swedish shopkeepers, German …