Lincoln Park hasn't always been the quintessential Chicago neighborhood.  Before world class dining, shopping and cultural institutions arrived in the the North Side neighborhood, development was led by army posts and parks

The Origins of Lincoln Park

• The area now known as Lincoln Park was primarily forest with stretches of grassland and quicksand, virtually untouched until 1820
• In 1824 the United States Army built a small post at what is now the intersection of Clybourn and Armitage
• Indian settlements existed along Clark and at the intersection of Halsted and Fullerton
• In 1936, land from North to Fullerton and from the lake to Halsted was inexpensive, costing just $150 per acre
• In 1837, Chicago was incorporated as a city and North was established as the city's northern most boundary.
• Lincoln Park's first wave of immigrants was Germans escpaing religious persecution and political oppression in their homeland
• in 1855 the first horsecar line in the city ran from the central business district up Clark Street

Lincoln Park's Famous Park

• Lincoln Park was inspired by Haussman's Park and Boulevard system in Paris
• The creation of Central Park in New York City also drove plans for Lincoln Park
• Chicago leaders began plans for "Lake Park" in 1864
• Lake Park was renamed Lincoln Park after the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865

The Great Chicago Fire and Lincoln Park's Boom

• The Great Chicago Fire that burned in 1871 for three days stretched all the way to Fullerton and Clark
• Post-fire reconstruction of Chicago resulted in a population increase of over 10,000 people
• 60 percent of Lincoln Park's current structures were built between 1880 and 1904
• In 1882 Children's Memorial Hospital was founded
• By 1920, the population of Lincoln Park had reached almost 95,000

Today

• Lincoln Park is home to the Lincoln Park Zoo, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Conservatory
• Lincoln Park is just minutes from both the Loop and Wrigley Field
• The median age in Lincoln Park is 31

Lincoln Park in Hollywood

The following movies feature key scenes filmed in Lincoln Park or at famous neighborhood locations.

• Public Enemies (2009)
• The Dark Knight (2008)
• The Break-Up (2005)
• Stranger than Fiction (2005)
• Return to Me (1999)
• High Fidelity (1999)
• My Best Friend's Wedding (1996)

Know of another movie filmed in the neighborhood? Let us know!