Originally a German industrial settlement, North Center became a major commercial force toward the end of the 19th Century, when developers recognized the possibilities afforded by the north branch of the Chicago River. The Deering Harvester Works opened here in 1880 and drove industrial expansion as well as population growth.
In the wake of the Chicago Fire, brickyards and clay pits cropped up in North Center, which for a time was known, suitably enough, as Bricktown. Gradually the demographic shifted as Korean, Filipino, and Hispanic immigrants moved into the area.
St. Ben's, named for Saint Benedict's Parish, is a family-oriented neighborhood with bakeries, shops, and quiet residential streets. The area has attracted young professionals in recent years thanks to less costly real estate compared with nearby Roscoe Village and Lakeview.
Fun Facts
- Saint Benedict's Parish was founded in 1902 by local Catholics who wanted closer schooling for their children, who previously had to walk long distances to and from school.
