Douglas, Chicago facts for kids
Douglas is a neighborhood located on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the 77 official community areas that make up the city of Chicago. Community areas are like big neighborhoods that help organize the city.
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What is Douglas, Chicago?
Douglas is a historic area in Chicago, known for its rich past and connection to important figures. It's a place where history meets modern city life.
How Douglas Got Its Name
The Douglas neighborhood is named after a very important person: Stephen A. Douglas. He was a famous politician from Illinois in the 1800s. A politician is someone who works in government, making decisions for the public. Stephen A. Douglas owned a large piece of land in this area. He later gave some of this land to the United States government.
Douglas During the Civil War
During the Civil War (a major war fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865), a significant military camp called Camp Douglas was located here. This camp was in the eastern part of what is now the Douglas neighborhood. It played an important role during the war.
Connection to the University of Chicago
Stephen A. Douglas also donated a part of his estate, specifically near Cottage Grove and 35th Street, to help start the Old University of Chicago. This shows how important his contributions were to the development of the area and education in Chicago.
Future Plans for Douglas
In recent times, Douglas was considered for a big project. When Chicago was trying to host the 2016 Olympic Games, the plan was to build the Olympic Village in this area. The Olympic Village is where athletes stay during the games. This proposed village would have been built on a large parking lot, mostly within the Douglas community area, near McCormick Place.
