
THE COLLECTION OF PHOTOS ON THIS SITE IS EFFECTIVELY AN EXTENSION OR A SEQUEL TO MY WELL-KNOWN AND POPULAR SITE CALLED CHUCKMAN’S PLACES. IT INVOLVES NEW MATERIAL NOT INCLUDED IN THAT SITE AND TAKES A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT APPROACH, ESPECIALLY IN THE NATURE OF SOME OF ITS COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS. I HOPE READERS WILL ENJOY IT.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
COLFAX AVE SOUTH SHORE CHICAGO LOOKING NORTH FROM OUR OLD BUILDING AT 78TH AND COLFAX - IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL WITH THE TREES AND WELL-CARED-FOR APARTMENTS - I USED TO JUST ENJOY WALKING AROUND (WHICH WAS GOOD SINCE WE NEVER HAD A CAR) AND I THINK MY TERM "URBAN VILLAGE" FITS PERFECTLY - IT CERTAINLY HELD ITS PLACE IN MY HEART AS THE URBAN IDEAL FOR MANY YEARS BUT THIS PLACE TOO WAS JUST BEGINNING TO CHANGE WHEN I TOOK THIS PICTURE - BY THE EARLY 1970s, THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER WAVE OF REFUGEES LEAVING (AFTER THE EARLIER ONE I EXPERIENCED IN HYDE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD - SEE BELOW) FEAR AND INCREASED VIOLENCE AND BADLY DECLINING SCHOOLS - I RECALL SEEING A NEWSPAPER PHOTO OF "FOR SALE" SIGNS ON A BLOCK LINED UP LIKE KIDS GOING TO RECESS - NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT - PEOPLE WENT TO MANY DIFFERENT PLACES SUCH AS HOMEWOOD (MOM) OR EAST HAZEL CREST (PRESTON UNEY'S FAMILY) OR TO THE NORTH SIDE (AUNT WILMA) - OTHERS WENT AS FAR AS SKOKIE - OCT 11 1968 - A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE
