Academic

An Unusual History of Hyde Park From The 1933 Chicago World's Fair

By Dan Filler

I grew up on the South Side of Chicago, in South Shore, but spent a ton of time in nearby Hyde Park.  I went shopping with my mom at the old Hyde Park Co-op (1933-2008).  Visited the old Powell's Books (1970-present).   Wandered around the University of Chicago.  I loved the neighborhood.

If you share that passion, and you're a history buff, you might enjoy a pamphlet from the University of Chicago Library's 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair Archive.  It's called Hyde Park, Gateway to a Century of Progress: Business Directory 1933.  It features ads for all the local hotels and apartment houses - the Windermere, the Sherry, the Shoreland, the Poinsetta, and the Hotel Mira-Mar.  There's an ad for the U of C bookstore - A Book for Every Mood; Stationery, Greeting Cards, Tennis Goods.  The ad for the University itself advised auto drivers to take "Leif Erickson Drive to Fifty-ninth Street", surely baffling advice for the post-World War II Chicagoan.  (Answer: it is now known as Lake Shore Drive.)  And of course Illinois Central Hospital promised "Rates are very reasonable."  (From a time when you looked for reasonable prices from your provider, rather than your insurer.)

There's also nice little history of the 'hood.  Take a look here.

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on April 07, 2009 (boomark / email).