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 Historically,
Bridgeport is one of the oldest of the city's 77 neighborhoods and
home to five of the city's mayors. Bridgeport is a community of
Churches, corner taverns and small working class, blue collar
residences. With a significantly lower population density than most
of the city's other neighborhoods, it is more spacious, less crowded
and less built up than one might expect, especially as it is
situated a mere 10-15 minutes south of the Loop.
Bridgeport was originally settled
by Irish and Polish immigrants in the mid 19th century, attracted
primarily by the plentiful jobs provided by the construction of the
Illinois and Michigan Canal in 1836, which slices through the
neighborhood. The infamous Union Stockyards, through which passed
practically all animals destined for America's tables, likewise
offered much employment.
The stockyards were a few short
blocks south, in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. It is said that
on a quiet night when the moon is clear, the temperature just right
and the wind silent, one can still hear the moos and oinks from time
past.
 Today's
Bridgeport is a cosmopolitan mix of many and varied ethnic groups:
Irish, Polish, Italian, German, Lithuanian, African-American,
Mexican-American and Asian-American - all of which are well
represented in the local neighborhood restaurants and shops.
Located on the city's near and
exciting south side, in the shadow of the Sear's Tower and other
downtown skyscrapers, Bridgeport sits strategically near the
convergence of downtown with I-55, I-57, I-65, I-80 and I-90/94,
just off the Chicago Skyway. It is under the flight pattern of
Midway Airport (approximately 7 miles away) and, without traffic, is
45 minutes from O'Hare International Airport.
Bridgeport is only minutes from the
Loop and downtown, Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile and the
Gold Coast, shopping, business and financial districts, museums,
Navy Pier, entertainment, sand beaches of Lake Michigan, Comiskey
Park, the United Center, Soldier Field, McCormick Convention Center,
Greek town, Chinatown, Little Italy, the Merchandise Mart and major
hospitals. Also close in are the University of Chicago, the
University of Illinois at Chicago, Loyola University, DePaul
University, Illinois Institute of Technology and the seminaries of
Hyde Park.
Bridgeport is
conveniently served by area public transportation
Come explore
the colorful past and today's vibrant life of this close-knit family
orientated near south side neighborhood nestled between the Chicago
River and the old Comiskey [White Sox] Ball Park, Bridgeport,
Chicago, USA.
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