Fernwood, Chicago
Encyclopedia
Fernwood, is an area on the western edge of Roseland
community of the City of Chicago
, between 99th and 103rd streets. It was considered an "upscale" neighborhood of Roseland and extended west into the Washington Heights
community up to Halsted street. Sometimes referred to as West Roseland, it was incorporated in 1883. The area was known for a gardenlike parkway between 95th and 103rd streets along Eggelston that was known as Fernwood Parkway. Like the surrounding communities, the area was annexed into Chicago in 1891. It was the last village on the south side to be annexed to Chicago.
The area is noted for one of the worst race riots in Chicago history. In mid August, 1947, several black veterans and their families moved into the CHA Fernwood Park Housing Project at 104th and Halsted. Area residents viewed this as one of several attempts by the CHA
to initiate racial integration into white communities. A violent mob action resulted which lasted for three days and mobilized over 1,000 law enforcement officers to control.
During the 1950s and '60s the community witnessed the combined effects of Blockbusting
by unscrupulous real estate agents and the ensuing White Flight
resulting in complete ethnic transition. Like the surrounding communities of Roseland and Washington Heights, Fernwood Park remains predominantly African-American.
Roseland, Chicago
Roseland, located on the far south side of the city, is one of the 77 official community areas of Chicago, Illinois. It includes the neighborhoods of Fernwood, Princeton Park, Lilydale, West Chesterfield, Rosemoor, Sheldon Heights and West Roseland...
community of the City of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, between 99th and 103rd streets. It was considered an "upscale" neighborhood of Roseland and extended west into the Washington Heights
Washington Heights, Chicago
Washington Heights, one of the 77 official community areas, is located on the far south side of the city of Chicago, Illinois, loosely bordered in the south by 107th street, the north by 89th street, the west by Beverly Avenue and the East by Eggleston Avenue. It was once a bedroom community of...
community up to Halsted street. Sometimes referred to as West Roseland, it was incorporated in 1883. The area was known for a gardenlike parkway between 95th and 103rd streets along Eggelston that was known as Fernwood Parkway. Like the surrounding communities, the area was annexed into Chicago in 1891. It was the last village on the south side to be annexed to Chicago.
The area is noted for one of the worst race riots in Chicago history. In mid August, 1947, several black veterans and their families moved into the CHA Fernwood Park Housing Project at 104th and Halsted. Area residents viewed this as one of several attempts by the CHA
Chicago Housing Authority
The Chicago Housing Authority is a municipal corporation established by the State of Illinois in 1937 with jurisdiction for the administrative oversight of public housing within the City of Chicago...
to initiate racial integration into white communities. A violent mob action resulted which lasted for three days and mobilized over 1,000 law enforcement officers to control.
During the 1950s and '60s the community witnessed the combined effects of Blockbusting
Blockbusting
Blockbusting is a business practice of U.S. real estate agents and building developers meant to encourage white property owners to sell their houses at a loss, by implying that racial, ethnic, or religious minorities — Blacks, Hispanics, Jews et al. — were moving into their previously racially...
by unscrupulous real estate agents and the ensuing White Flight
White flight
White flight has been a term that originated in the United States, starting in the mid-20th century, and applied to the large-scale migration of whites of various European ancestries from racially mixed urban regions to more racially homogeneous suburban or exurban regions. It was first seen as...
resulting in complete ethnic transition. Like the surrounding communities of Roseland and Washington Heights, Fernwood Park remains predominantly African-American.