Pilsen

Named after a city in the Czech Republic, Pilsen was established in the 1840s as one of Chicago’s earliest working-class immigrant communities. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the area drew large numbers of Bohemian immigrants who found work at nearby manufacturing plants. Since the 1960s, a predominantly Mexican American population has defined the neighborhood. Bright murals and mosaics claim the urban landscape and often reflect Mexican culture and creativity. Residents have fought urban renewal by renovating and rehabilitating homes to guarantee that the neighborhood remains accessible to Mexican immigrants. In recent years, a large number of breweries, restaurants, galleries and music venues have joined the neighborhood’s vibrant cultural scene.