Edison Park, Chicago
| Edison Park | |
|---|---|
| Community area | |
| Community Area 09 - Edison Park | |
|
Fieldhouse in Edison Park on the Northwest Highway | |
 Location within the city of Chicago | |
| Coordinates: 42°0.6′N 87°48.6′W / 42.0100°N 87.8100°WCoordinates: 42°0.6′N 87°48.6′W / 42.0100°N 87.8100°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Cook |
| City | Chicago |
| Neighborhoods | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.17 sq mi (3.03 km2) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 11,187 |
| • Density | 9,600/sq mi (3,700/km2) |
| Demographics 2010[1] | |
| • White | 88.4% |
| • Black | 1.26% |
| • Hispanic | 7.79% |
| • Asian | 2.40% |
| • Other | 1.15% |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP Codes | part of 60631 |
| Median household income[2] | $77,678 |
| Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services | |
Edison Park (formerly Canfield) is one of the 77 community areas of Chicago, in North Side, Chicago, Illinois.
It consists entirely of the Edison Park neighborhood, and is named after Thomas Alva Edison.[3] T. Edison gave his blessing to this community namesake in 1890. According to the 2000 Census, its population is 11,259. Edison Park has one of the highest concentrations of Irish ancestry in Chicago, where they make up over three-fourths of the neighborhood's population.
Located between the Des Plaines River and the Chicago River this area served as a local continental divide, with the Chicago River flowing then into Lake Michigan, which connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Great Lakes, and the Des Plaines River feeding into the Illinois River and the Mississippi River to reach the Gulf of Mexico. Edison Park served as one of the portage points for early travelers who would carry their canoes across it to the north branch of the Chicago River corridor and is conveniently located next to Portage Park, Chicago, more generally recognized for this type of access.
History
Edison Park's settlement history dates back to 1834, with the arrival of pioneer Christian Ebinger Sr., 21, and his family: parents John and Katherine Ebinger along with his new bride, Barbara. As they traveled northwest from Chicago on the Indian trail to Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Milwaukee Avenue), their single horse was bitten by a snake and died, leaving them stranded. Consequently, the Ebingers decided to settle between Touhy and Devon. Their settlement location was west of the North Branch of the Chicago River, where they were joined by Christian's older brothers Frederick and John along with their sister Elizabeth (Mrs. John) Plank. The local public elementary school was named after Christian Ebinger. Edison Park incorporated as a village in 1881[4] Canfield incorporated and with the blessing of Thomas Alva Edison renamed itself Edison Park.[5] T. Edison gave his blessing to this community namesake in 1890. According to the 2000 Census, its population is 11,259. It was annexed to Chicago on November 8, 1910.[6]
Culture
One tradition in the community since 1972 is the Edison Park Festival, an end-of-summer weekend sponsored by the Edison Park Chamber of Commerce, combining merchant sidewalk sales, entertainment, a parade, Taste of Chicago and arts and crafts. It is an opportunity to introduce visitors to the benefits and beauty of the Edison Park community. The EP Fest is celebrated every year in mid-August.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 5,370 | — | |
| 1940 | 5,999 | 11.7% | |
| 1950 | 7,843 | 30.7% | |
| 1960 | 12,568 | 60.2% | |
| 1970 | 13,076 | 4.0% | |
| 1980 | 12,457 | −4.7% | |
| 1990 | 11,426 | −8.3% | |
| 2000 | 11,178 | −2.2% | |
| 2010 | 11,187 | 0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] | |||
According to a 2016 analysis by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, there were 11,208 people and 4,400 households in Edison Park. The racial makeup of the area was 87.3% White, 1.1% African American, 1.5% Asian, and 0.7% from other races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 9.5% of the population. In the area, the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 19, 19.5% from 20 to 34, 23.7% from 35 to 49, 19.6% from 50 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years.[8]
The median household income was $86,300 compared to a median income of $47,831 for Chicago at-large. The area had an Income distribution in which 8.2% of households earned less than $25,000 annually; 19.7% of households earned between $25,000 and $49,999; 14.7% of households earned between $50,000 and $74,999; 16.4% of households earned between $75,000 and $99,999; 16.6% of households earned between $100,000 and $149,999 and 24.4% of households earned more than $150,000. This is compared to a distribution of 28.8%, 22.8%, 16.1%, 10.7%, 11.3% and 10.3% for Chicago at large.[8]
Edison Park has the lowest violent crime rate of any Chicago neighborhood. Ranked as one of the best neighborhoods in Chicago, Edison Park also boasts a variety of restaurants and bars.
Transportation
The Union Pacific / Northwest Line has a station in the Edison Park community.
Notable people
- Adam Emory Albright, painter. He resided in Edison Park until moving to Warrenville, Illinois later in life.[9]
- Leonard Crunelle, sculptor and protege of Lorado Taft.[10]
- John Mulroe, Democratic member of the Illinois Senate since 2011. He is a resident of Edison Park.[11]
- Anthony Napolitano, alderman for Chicago's 41st ward since 2015. A resident, he is also the council sole Republican.[12]
- Mary O'Connor, alderman for Chicago's 41st ward from 2011-2015. She is an Edison Park resident and served as president of the local chamber of commerce prior to her tenure as alderman.[12]
- Timothy P. Sheehan, Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1951 to 1959 and Republican candidate for Mayor of Chicago against Richard J. Daley in 1959.[13]
References
- ↑ Paral, Rob. "Chicago Demographics Data". Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ↑ Paral, Rob. "Chicago Census Data". Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 114.
- ↑ http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Monument-Playlot-Park/
- ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 114.
- ↑ https://chicagology.com/wp-content/themes/revolution-20/chicagoimages/annexation1930.jpg
- ↑ Paral, Rob. "Chicago Community Areas Historical Data". Chicago Community Areas Historical Data. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- 1 2 "Community Demographic Snapshot: Edison Park" (PDF). Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. June 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ↑ "Adam Emory Albright (1862 - 1957)". Museum of Wisconsin Art. June 2, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ↑ Zangs, Mary (2014). The Chicago 77: A Community Area Handbook. Charleston, SC 29403: The History Press. pp. 190–193. ISBN 978-1-62619-612-4.
- ↑ "Senator John G. Mulroe (D) - Previous General Assembly (97th) 10th District". Retrieved July 3, 2017. line feed character in
|title=at position 62 (help) - 1 2 http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2015/03/25/freshman-alderman-tries-hang-her-seat
- ↑ Dyja, Thomas L. (April 8, 2013). The Third Coast: When Chicago Built the American Dream. Westminster, London, England: Penguin Books. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
External links
- Official City of Chicago Edison Park Community Map
- The Northwest Chicago Historical Society's history of Edison Park
- Edison Park Chamber of Commerce
- History of Edison Park
- Chicago Landmarks
- Chicago Park District
| Adjacent places of Edison Park, Chicago | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Park Ridge, Illinois | Park Ridge | Niles, Illinois | |
| Park Ridge |  |
Niles | ||
| ||||
 | ||||
| Park Ridge | Norwood Park, Chicago | Old Norwood Park, Chicago | ||
