Bizarre Chicago

A tour of history, mysteries, and ghosts along The 606 public park as it runs through Bucktown and Wicker Park. Also included are recommendations about where to exit the trail for good food and fun.

Bizarre Chicago: The 606

Walk up the curved ramp at Walsh Park to enter The 606 and begin your adventure.

Welcome to Chicago's one of a kind elevated park trail. This former railway runs almost three miles. We begin at Walsh Park, the eastern terminus. 

The 606, or as the locals know it, the Bloomingdale (Avenue) Trail, was constructed in 1857 at street level. Before elevation in 1910, it crossed 35 streets, which resulted in a love-hate relationship due to the danger it posed to nearby residents. When the city told the rail company they had to elevate the track, they only gave them five years to accomplish it. It was quite an engineering feat for the time!

Eventually the line was abandoned, and the rail company sold it to the city (for one dollar!) in 2009, and on June 6th, 2015 (6/06) it opened as a city park.

This tour is brought to you by Gordon Meyer, a neighbor and creator of the Bizarre Bucktown and Bizarre Wicker Park walking tours. Join Gordon for guided tours of the neighborhood's history, mysteries, and ghosts. Tickets and more info at the website below.

History of The 606

Is this Bucktown or Wicker Park? That's surprisingly hard to answer.

As you walk The 606 you might see signs on the nearby streets that say "Welcome to Bucktown" and "Welcome to Wicker Park." These are placed by two different neighborhood organizations, both of which lay claim to this part of the city.

Neighborhood boundaries are largely imaginary and the lines tend to shift over the years.  They're also influenced by real estate agents who will label a location with whatever name raises the property's value based on current popular opinion. 

Historically, the road that runs parallel to the railway, Bloomingdale Avenue, was regarded as the dividing line between the two neighborhoods. Today, many people (but not all) would say that North Avenue marks the boundary.

The city park here, Walsh Park, is named for Chicago Fire Fighter Jack Walsh. He was killed by injuries suffered while fighting a factory fire at this location in July 1970. The land where the factory stood was converted to a park in his honor.

Marshfield Avenue

Learn about the long-forgotten IBM of Bucktown-Wicker Park.

Here at Paulina Avenue are the old buildings from the Felt and Tarrant Manufacturing Company, creators of the wildly successful key-driven mechanical calculator known as a "Comptometer." (The original prototype is in Smithsonian Museum today.) At their peak, in today's dollars, the company was generating over $1 Billion in annual revenue.  

Paulina Ave is named for the wife of real estate subdivider Ruben Taylor. 

Did you see the hit movie Hidden Figures? The machines the women were using to calculate the space shots were Comptometers.

One block north, visit the beer garden of the haunted Bucktown Pub, or snarf down an award winning burger at Cortlands Garage. Exit the trail at Walsh Park then walk to Cortland Street.

Paulina Avenue

The finest example of Romanesque architecture in the United States.

Hermitage Avenue, named in honor of the Nashville residence of President Andrew Jackson, is home to the historic Saint Mary of the Angels Roman Catholic Church. This stunning chapel was modeled after St. Peter's Basilica and comes with a curious history. It was on the brink of being demolished in 1988, but was saved by the community and the priests of the mysterious Prelature of Opus Dei. (Have you seen the DaVinci Code?) 

Also located here is a beloved school and the Midtown Boys Club. The boys club is a remarkable tutoring and mentoring program with 100% college admission for their kids.

Be sure to look up and wave 'hello' to the twenty six angels that line the roof of the chapel. It is said that they keep a watchful eye over Bucktown. 

If the chapel is open, visitors are welcome! It's well-worth the short walk.

Hermitage Avenue

A worldwide performance art was born right here.

For history enthusiasts, nothing is better than seeing the birthplace of a cultural phenomenon. Honore Street once boasted the "Get Me High" lounge, Bucktown's iconic haunt and the birthplace of Slam Poetry, which quickly spread around the world.

Where did this street name come from? Not only does the name pay homage to the creator of Chicago's park and boulevard system, Henry Honore, but also the wife of The Palmer House hotel owner,  Bertha Honore. 

One block south, visit Club Lucky for excellent Italian dining and great cocktails. Enjoy their sidewalk cafe or their restored 1930s bar. Ask to see the bullet holes from 1967, which might explain their resident ghost. Exit the trail at Hermitage, then walk to Wabansia Ave.

Honore Street

From pinball cabinets to Prohibition alcohol, Winchester Avenue has seen it all.

The is a lot of history at this location, if you know where to look.

The park, Churchill Field, is named for the Churchill Cabinet Company which used to be nearby. In 1954 they donated the land where the park is located. Churchill made wooden cabinets for organs, telephones, and later, pinball machines.

But going back even more, this park land was once home to the Independent Snuff Company (Circa 1919). Back in the day, there were plenty of tobacco-related businesses in Bucktown-Wicker Park.

To the south of the trail, Stenson Brewing Company once stood. It was the go-to brewery for mobster Johnny Torrio during prohibition.

One block north, visit Lotties Pub, formerly a notorious den of gambling and other vices. Today you might recognize it as the set for "Molly's" on the NBC TV shows Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med. 

Winchester Avenue

The center of the area's past, present, and future

Here at Damen Avenue history meets art. Literally, thanks to the Art Plaza that's part of The 606. It's a great place to rest for a bit and meet some locals.

To the south is the Bucktown-Wicker Park entertainment district. Also in the vicinity is the historic Flat Iron Arts building, a hub for artists and the headquarters of Bizarre Chicago.

This street was originally named for real estate developer James Robey (think the Robey Hotel, just to the south). It was renamed to honor Father Arnold Damen, the founder of Loyola University. 

There are many eclectic points of interest on Damen Ave, and the nearby stretch is the affectionately named "Indy Row" where you can find independent neighborhood businesses. Find hand-made gifts at Virtu or design a custom garment at The T-Shirt Deli.

Damen Avenue

Learn the history behind this busy and popular street.

Milwaukee Avenue is much older than the city of Chicago as it was originally an old Native American trail that led to -- you guessed it -- the city of Milwaukee. Later it became a wooden plank toll road, but in 1881 an angry mob burned down the toll gate and it has been free ever since. 

Residents refer to this street at the "Hipster Highway" thanks to its popularity as a bicycle route.

Grab some family friendly eats at The Stop Along, or a gourmet burger at Small Chavel.

Milwaukee Avenue

Take a walk on the longest city street in the world.

Western Avenue is the longest continuous city street in the world. How long you wonder? 24.5 miles to be precise. As the name might suggest, this street delineated the original western boundary of Chicago. (Nearby North Ave was the original northern boundary.)

Exit the trail here to visit Margie's Fine Candies. This candy and ice cream shop was established in 1921, and over the decades has been patronized by many legends, including the Beatles. The booth were they sat still remains today.  

Western Avenue

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History of The 606

Walsh Park 1722 N Ashland Ave

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History of The 606

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History of The 606

Walsh Park 1722 N Ashland Ave

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