Bronzeville
Historical
Society
....preserving, providing, and protecting Black History of Chicago
Bronzeville Historical Society
773 291-9115



The Illinois Central Railroad

12th Street Station was the portal for
many African Americans. Thousands of
Blacks came to Chicago continuously
from 1890 through the 1950’s due to
racism in the South, lack of opportunity,
and the desire for education and
employment.

The largest number of African Americans
in Chicago settled between 18th Street
on the North and 51st Street on the
South -
State Street on the West and Cottage
Grove on the East during the Great  
Migration.

The Chicago Defender Founded in 1905,
communicated with more blacks than any
other publication in the first half of the
twentieth century.  The newspaper
encouraged  the migration of black
southerners to Northern cities with a
circulation of over 200,000.  Pullman
Porters aided the nationwide distribution.

Robert S. Abbott, Founder
(1868-1940)
Chicago Daily Defender
This photo was found
in a resale shop.......
Chicago Housing Authority
Stateway Gardens                        
.... now demolished
Organizers
of Altgeld
Garden
Public
Housing
Reunions
2007
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