Early History

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Early History

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1	Bridgeport Welcome to the Bridgeport history home page. Bridgeport has been an ethnic neighborhood and is well known for the mayors and politicians that grew up here. But when those -- mostly Irish -- political heavyweights were youngsters walking the streets of Bridgeport, you can bet that they knew a Pole, or a Lithuanian, or an Italian, or one of the other ethnics of the place. Bridgeport was truly a neighborhood of neighborhoods -- not a single urban village, but a collection of them. Bridgeport has a long history. It got its start when the Illinois & Michigan Canal construction got underway in 1836. Times were a bit different then. Journey back with us to have a brief look. And a brief look is all that we will be able to take: the history of Bridgeport even predates the beginnings of the canal. It is quite literally one of the oldest localities in northern Illinois of note; although to read the original notes, you'd have to know French. The history of Bridgeport is quite rich; much of it has yet to be rediscovered.
2	The Haymarket tragedy In connection with the nation-wide strike for the 8-hour workday, which began May 1, 1886, a mass meeting was held on the night of May 4th in the Chicago haymarket. Its purpose was to protest a police attack on Union pickettes at McCormick Harvesting Machine Company in which workers were injured and killed. When police ordered the protest meeting to disperse (peaceful though it was), a bomb was thrown toward the police by an unknown person. The police responded by firing at the crowd. This became known as the "Haymarket Riot," now more properly named the Haymarket Tradgey. The 8-Hour Day Movement was destroyed in the nation-wide hysteria which followed.
3	Death Notices for Chicago Names, places, dates, and ages at death of some of Chicago's Old Settlers, prior to 1843, and other well - known citizens who arrived after 1843, together with others prominently connected with Illinois history. In most cases, except as otherwise stated, the deaths occurred in Chicago.
4	Early Chicago This web site is based on the book A Compendium of the Early History of Chicago to the Year 1835, when the Indians left. The volume was self-published by the authors in the year 2000. The intent of book and web site is to inform about all persons and all significant events for which historical records can be located. Any book on history, once printed, is set, and will in time become obsolete. This web site, however, will be updated with the continuing stream of new information that ongoing research provides. Already, with reader participation, many of the stories have continued to enlarge. Such is the nature of historic records, that they are never finite. Once the time of the authors and present contributors has run out, our intention is that the work will be continued by a foundation established for this very purpose.
5	Cook County Townships, 1910 A list of townships extant in Cook County in the year 1910
6	Luxembourg American Cultural Society The Luxembourg American Cultural Society, Inc. was founded in 2004 by individuals of Luxembourg descent in America as well as citizens of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The mission of the Luxembourg American Cultural society is symbolized as Roots and Leaves: Preserve the roots of Luxembourg heritage/culture in America and nurture the leaves of ongoing relationships of family, friendship, commerce, and tourism between Luxembourg and America! A large number of Luxembourg immigrants and their descendants have lived in Rogers Park/West Ridge over the years.
7	Indians of the Midwest The Newberry Library's "Indians of the Midwest" reasearch site.

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About the Society

The Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society collects, preserves and shares the story of the diverse community of Chicago’s far north side. Established in 1975 by local residents who believed their part of Chicago was a place with much to celebrate, the Society today serves the community through its publications, architectural tours, and various educational and outreach efforts.

How to Contact Us

By Mail:	1447 W. Morse Ave. Chicago, IL 60626
By Phone:	773-764-4078
By E-mail:	info@rpwrhs.org

We are open weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other times by appointment.

Board of Directors meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Society's offices.

Rogers Park / West Ridge Historical Society