Connections TO

CommunityPILSEN, ChicagoBY: Brooke, Mary Claire, Natalie, Mairead, and Julie

Neighborhood: PILSENMain neighborhood of the Lower West Side, known for its countless taquerias (Mexican restaurants specializing in tacos) & vibrant muralsHow to get there:

- take the Red Line south to Roosevelt

- then take the bus 18 to 18th street & Racine

- the journey is about 1h long, but it is worth it!

HIstory of Pilsen- Founded by Irish & German immigrants

- The name comes from the wave of Czech immigrants, who named it after Plzeň, a Czech city

- Mostly latino since the 1990’s

- Now Pilsen is undergoing gentrification (the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents)

- Today, Pilsen is Chicago’s largest predominately Mexican-American neighborhood

Current demographics & Facts-Population: 42,962

-Average Household Income: $47,856

-Total Households: 25,312

-Total Household Expenditure: 76 (below National Average of 100)

-Crime Risk: 224 (above National Average of 100)

-Average Temperatures: High of 83.40° F & low of 19.80° F

(http://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/IL/Chicago/Pilsen-Demographics.html#Education)

Activities and landmarks 8 things to do in Pilsen:

1.Casa Aztlan Mural

2. Honky Tonk BBQ

3. Benito Juarez Park

4. Saint Paul Roman

Catholic Church

5. National Museum of Mexican Art

6. El Milagro Store & Taqueria

7. Zoo Plzen

8. St. Bartholomew’s Gothic Cathedral

Fun facts:- Pilsen has a geotag

- Halas Sports Center is named after the son of George Halas Sr, late Chicago Bears football coach and owner, who was raised in Pilsen

- A Czech restaurant owner dubbed his small eatery “At the City of Plzen” and though spelled a little different, people liked the sound of it and ended up calling the entire area Pilsen

- Artists fleeing the gentrification of Wicker Park and Bucktown are attracted to Pilsen’s cheaper rents and budding artist community

- For authentic Mexican cuisine, Pilsen is the place

- (http://www.chicagoneighborhoods.cc/neighborhoods/pilsen.html)

Final reflection- Pilsen is a very independent neighborhood, which shows how diverse Chicago is as a city

- Although it is rarely cited as a notable touristic spot, trying to find its little treasures is definitely a most exciting and interesting challenge

THANKS FOR

watching! (:

Works Cited:http://www.chicagoneighborhoods.cc/neighborhoods/pilsen.htmlhttp://www.choosechicago.com/neighborhoods-and-communities/pilsen/http://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/IL/Chicago/Pilsen-Demographics.html#Educationhttp://stpaulchgo.org/http://museum.escubes.com/2015/09/national-museum-of-mexican-art-mexican-art-museum/http://honkytonkbbqchicago.com/