The adjacent communities of Hermosa and Belmont-Cragin are on Chicago’s Northwest side. Their boundaries are all rail lines and the railroads, commercial and commuter. The boundaries made these communities what they are today.
Hermosa is Chicago Community Area #20 and is located 6 miles northwest of The Loop. First settled in modern history by Scottish immigrants in the 1880s, followed by Scandinavian and German settlers, it was the railroads that are responsible for the area’s settlement and growth, and serve today as the majority of its borders.
Belmont-Cragin is Chicago Community Area #19 and is about 8 miles northwest of the Loop. The first business to open up in the area was George Merrill’s saloon in 1835 near Grand and Armitage.
Soon they built railroads and companies to locate along the rails, added rail stops, workers and residents and development and the growth of a community surrounded completely by railroads.
Both areas have their share of spectacular commercial, religious and institutional buildings as well as a glorious stock of residential homes and flats, where the ordinary home is clearly special.
Come explore the two communities of Belmont-Cragin and Hermosa. Bring your bike and a helmet and we’ll provide a pleasant late-summer ride learning from and enjoying Chicago’s northwest side. Buy online and save a buck for the ride or three bucks for the ride and poster.
TOUR OF BELMONT-CRAGIN AND HERMOSA
Saturday August 30, at 11 a.m.
Kelvyn Park at 4438 W Wrightwood in Chicago