Industry first came to the area in 1857 when the Rolling Mill Steel Works opened along the river. The major influx of residential and commercial structures occurred here as a result of Chicago's Great Fire in 1871. Soon this was a vibrant community with many businesses including clothing; furniture; musical instruments; cigar manufacturers and breweries; stables ( some of which also rented carriages and hearses); blacksmiths; tailor shops; sausage-makers; coal, wood, stone and lumber yards; laundries; greenhouses; milk depots; bakeries; drug stores; dye works; and eventually large department stores.

The neighborhood's development passed through two distinct periods. The first, from 1673 to 1929, was the establishment and growth period. The second, from 1930 to approximately 1975, was a steady, slow decline culminating in a depressed community. Then a slow rebirth was followed by a surge of development that continues today. Now great restaurants and entertainment co-mingle with upscale boutiques that offer everything from couturier garments to contemporary and vintage home furnishings.

Wicker Park is known for its large community of artists, funky bars and restaurants, and shops such as John Fluevog shoes and Reckless Records. Bucktown, just to the north, is a rapidly growing neighborhood where modest cottages now rub shoulders with high-priced condos. The Bucktown Arts Fest, held each August, draws more than 30,000 people every year.

• The name "Bucktown" originated as a reference to goats kept by early residents.
• Chicago writers Saul Bellow and Nelson Algren were residents of the Wicker Park/Bucktown area and wrote of their experiences here.
• Wicker Park was home to a season of MTV's "The Real World," with seven strangers brought together in a loft located at 1934 W. North.
• Though the 2004 film "Wicker Park" is ostensibly set in Wicker Park, very little of the movie was filmed here – including scenes that supposedly take place in the neighborhood.