Chicago's Polish Downtown

Images of America: Illinois

by Victoria Granacki

Polish Downtown is Chicago's oldest Polish settlement and was the capital of American Polonia from the 1870s through the first half of the 20th century. Nearly all Polish undertakings of any consequence in the U.S. during that time either started or were directed from this part of Chicago's near northwest side. This book illustrates the first 75 years of this influential Polish neighborhood. Featured are some of the most beautiful churches in Chicago-St. Stanislaus Kostka, Holy Trinity, and St. John Cantius-stunning examples of Renaissance and Baroque Revival architecture that form part of the largest concentration of Polish parishes in Chicago. The headquarters for almost every major Polish organization in America were clustered within blocks of each other, and four Polish-language daily newspapers were published here. The heart of the photographic collection in this book is from the extensive library and archives of the Polish Museum of America, still located in the neighborhood.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 26, 2004

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased Chicago's Polish Downtown in an effort to learn more about the community that must have had at least some impact on my ancestors, in particular on their decision to settle in Chicago when they immigrated here in the late 1800's. I am Polish on my father's side, and my grandmother still knew some Polish by the time I was old enough to ask her about it. Though they always lived in the suburbs, and not the area in which this book covers, so much Polish history and influence radiated from this community that I wanted to learn more about it.

Chicago's Polish Downtown is a very informative book. It's easy to read and filled with authentic pictures of the people and places that it describes. The book's chapters are divided into general subject areas, such as the churches, schools, charitable organizations, and businesses that fueled this successful community for over 75 years. Through the narrative and pictures, the reader can learn how Polish immigrants lived and worked in the 1800 & 1900's, understand their commitment to community and their love of both countries (America and Poland), and follow their contribution to the war efforts (WWI & WWII) and the liberation of Poland, as well as to comprehend the number of immigrants who contributed to the American dream (serving as statesmen, congressmen, and soldiers for America since the American Revolution).

This book is a succinct summary of Polish immigration to America, the Polish culture, and the contribution of this community to Chicago, the USA, and even Poland. Chicago was a magnet to Polish immigrants, so anyone looking into their ancestry would do well to read this book and learn more about this culture and its history here in America.