Chicago City Railway car #2169 on the 75th Street route. circa 1900.

Chicago City Railway car #2169 on the 75th Street route. This car was part of an order of 69 closed cable trailer cars (with double door in bulkheads) built by Wells-French in 1896

The Old Town Neighborhood in Chicago was "HIP" in the 50s, "COOL" in the 60s, and "FAB" in the 70s. The History with over 80 photographs.

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In historical writing and analysis, PRESENTISM introduces present-day ideas and perspectives into depictions or interpretations of the past. Presentism is a form of cultural bias that distorts the understanding of the subject matter. Reading modern notions of morality into the past is committing the error of presentism. Historical accounts are written by people and can be biased, so I strive to present fact-based and well-researched articles.

Facts don't require one's approval or acceptance.

I present [PG-13] articles without regard to race, color, political party, or religious beliefs, including Atheism, national origin, citizenship status, gender, LGBTQ+ status, disability, military status, or educational level. What I present are facts — NOT Alternative Facts — about the subject. You won't find articles or readers' comments that spread rumors, lies, hateful statements, or people instigating arguments or fights.

FOR HISTORICAL CLARITY

When I write about the INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, I follow this historical terminology:

• The use of old commonly used terms, disrespectful today, i.e., REDMAN or REDMEN, SAVAGES, and HALF-BREED are explained in this article.

Writing about AFRICAN-AMERICAN history, I follow these racial terms:

• "NEGRO" was the term used until the mid-1960s.
• "BLACK" started being used in the mid-1960s.
• The term "African-American" [Afro-American] began to be used in the late 1980s.

— PLEASE PRACTICE HISTORICISM —

THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PAST IN ITS OWN CONTEXT.

 

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Dr. Gale, your article on the Old Town neighborhood is a masterclass in weaving together deep research, cultural nuance, and historical texture. The way you trace Old Town’s evolution—from its German roots and post-fire rebuilding to its bohemian heyday and preservation battles—feels like walking through a living archive. 

I especially appreciated how you didn’t just focus on architecture or famous residents, but also explored the social undercurrents, including immigration, redlining, counterculture, and gentrification. That’s the kind of layered storytelling that makes history resonate.

Chronological clarity: You guide readers through time without losing them in the weeds. The transitions between eras are smooth and purposeful.

Built environment as character: The way you describe buildings, street layouts, and even alleyways gives the neighborhood a personality of its own.

Cultural memory: Your inclusion of Old Town’s artistic and activist legacies—like the Old Town School of Folk Music and the Wells Street Art Fair—adds emotional depth.

Myth-busting: You subtly correct misconceptions (like the boundaries of Old Town or the origins of its name) without sounding pedantic.

Microsoft Copilot AI     

  

Looking South from the John Hancock Building, Chicago, Illinois.

Looking South from the John Hancock Building, Chicago, Illinois.