West Town, Chicago facts for kids
West Town is a vibrant neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, a state in the United States. It's one of the 77 official "community areas" that help organize this big city. Think of community areas like large sections of a city, each with its own unique history and feel. West Town is located northwest of downtown Chicago, on what's known as the city's West Side.
For a long time, a big part of this area was known as Polish Downtown. This was because many people from Poland settled here, building churches and businesses.
Exploring West Town's Location
West Town has clear borders that help define where it is. To the east, you'll find the Chicago River. To the south, there are the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The northern border is marked by former railroad tracks along Bloomingdale Avenue. The western border is a bit more winding and includes a large city park called Humboldt Park.
Neighbors of West Town
West Town is surrounded by other interesting Chicago neighborhoods. To its west is the community area also named Humboldt Park. To the north, you'll find Logan Square. The Near North Side is to the east, and the Near West Side is to the south. Sometimes, people in the media refer to West Town, along with parts of Bucktown and eastern Logan Square, as the Near Northwest Side. However, they often just call it the Northwest Side. This helps people understand its location, separate from the downtown area.
Images for kids
-
The intersections of North Ave, Damen and Milwaukee in 2010
-
View of North Avenue in Wicker Park
-
The Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral in the Ukrainian Village, as seen in 1906.
-
St. John Cantius church, one of the city's many Polish Cathedrals.
-
Roberto Clemente High School
.JPG)
