Old Town

Old Town neighborhood is a historic district in the Near North Side and Lincoln Park. It was settled in 1850 and boasts some of the most architecturally beautiful Victorian-era buildings. It is just two miles from the heart of downtown and a mile west of the lake.

Settled by Germans and called the “cabbage patch”, one of the buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire was St. Michael’s Church. Everything else around it was destroyed and rebuilt. You will find winding streets that are not like the normal grid which leads to the charm of the area. The German builders used brick and stone and created row homes and apartment buildings that have an eclectic style but are well crafted. They feature Victorian Spirals and follow up with Gothic windows, and you can find many tours of Old Town Architecture.

As with most of Chicago, the neighborhoods are there for its residents. You have an association that has been together to form the Old Town Triangle Association. It was founded in 1940 and is still active in the community today. Once this community formed small art fairs it opened the doors for creatives to go and create art, music, and local businesses. Today you can find those same vibes and an eclectic mix of old and new. The Old Town gates survived, and the neighborhood is thriving.