Bridgeport

Bridgeport is a fairly populated area on the near South Side of Chicago. Historically, Bridgeport was a predominately Irish area, but today there are large Asian and Hispanic communities as well. However, other nationalities and groups live in this part of Chicago, ranging from the Poles to the Lithuanians. Frequently, Bridgeport is sited as being one of Chicago's more diverse areas and with good reason!

Part of what makes any visit to Bridgeport an interesting one is the architecture. The area is full of old buildings and numerous old churches, many of which have been restored. The area is largely residential, but there is plenty to see in the way of independent businesses and restaurants. If you are looking for an area that has a real neighborhood feel, then you can't go wrong with Bridgeport, as the area most definitely gives you that authentic "Chicago look and feel" that many may feel are missing from some other Chicago areas.

One additional interesting note is that Bridgeport is also famous for being the home and birthplace of both mayors Richard M. Daley and Richard J. Daley. All of these facts help Bridgeport stand out as one of Chicago's more interesting neighborhoods.

If you’re looking for what Chicago is REALLY like, look no further than Bridgeport. This neighborhood is a breeding ground for Chicago politicians, including both Mayor Daleys. It’s traditionally Irish, and actually had a bad reputation for racism, especially in the ‘60s. However, a recent study showed that Bridgeport today is one of the top 5 most diverse neighborhoods in the city, so that has definitely changed.

Bridgeport is White Sox territory. Do not come here wearing a Cubs jersey unless you’re here for the Crosstown Classic. Comiskey (I mean, The Cell) is technically not in the neighborhood anymore, but whatever. As a Sox fan, I’ve been coming to the neighborhood since I was a kid.

I guess the ‘stereotypical’ south-sider is who you’d find at the neighborhood Irish and dive bars. The neighborhood is mostly working and middle class. A lot of people have lived in the area forever, but that seems to be changing. I’ve seen some new condos go up recently, as well as stores that

Bridgeport is a great neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. It is still a mostly Irish neighborhood, with some influx of other cultures to give it a diverse feel. Still mostly blue collar, and it seems to be a favorite of Chicago Mayors, who I think see it as a good place to live if you want to look like 'one of the people.'

The thing most people think of is the ballpark for the White Sox. It's technically nearby and not within the neighborhood, but it's still an institution for those living here. I'd say a Cubs fan would have a hard time making friends, especially in one of the many irish bars in the area during baseball season. The Irish bars are the main attraction for me, and while I'm not a huge baseball fan, if I put on a White Sox jersey and go to a bar for a game, I almost always have someone buy me a few drinks. Not a bad way to have some fun and make a few friends.

There's a lot of good irish Chicagoan history in Bridgeport, and it isn't terribly expensive, so I'd certainly suggest giving it a look, even if it's just for a short visit.

This is one neighborhood where there is no shortage of Irish-style pubs. (Good ones include –but are not limited to: Schaller’s Pump on Halsted St. and the Bridgeport Inn on Archer Ave.)

Once home to the legendary Comiskey Park (and now featuring the un-legendary sounding US Cellular Field) – home of the Sox (well, sort of)! – Bridgeport is known for housing its fair share of city mayors and has become one of the most wanted neighborhoods on the south side. (The stadium is generally known as being in this neighborhood, even if it is actually one block outside of the eastern Bridgeport boundary.

Bridgeport is one of those Chicago 'hoods where I would take visiting relatives if they so desired to see some of the old churches and beautiful architecture that the city has to offer – this neighborhood is very stroll-worthy. Bridgeport extends its own deep roots in Chicago, however many modern luxuries continue to pop up. The landscape here – like much of the rest of the city – is changing as the new moves in and the old just seems to fade away. The mix can be somewhat confusing (is that old school church really nextdoor to a modern condominium?), and it’s my personal feeling that the newer architecture takes away from the old.

This area has a long history of being Irish-American and it still mostly is. There are now Mexican-Americans and Chinese-Americans living here and very few Blacks, but there is no mistaking the fact that it is influenced by Old World Irish. There are also Polish, Italians and Lithiuanians.

It still is a working class neighborhood too. Many of the Irish immigrants who came to work on the Erie canal, later came to Chicago to work on the Illinois and Michigan Canal and settled here on the South Side.

Many of these received "Land Scrip" instead of payment and used it to purchase land in this area, which was once known as "Hardscrabble."

U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, is often thought to be geographically located in Bridgeport. This is a misconception. The stadium is actually located one block to the east, in the Armour Square community area.

What Bridgeport can claim for its fame is that it has been the home of five of Chicago's mayors. To Chicagoans past a certain age, it is practically synonoymous with the name of Daley, Richard J. or Richard M. There was a 46-year long stretch (1933-1979) in which a Bridgeport native held the city's highest office. The current mayor Daley no longer resides in Bridgeport, but is still near on the South Side.

Transportation is good with the CTA el Orange Line, a major expressway and the CTA buses. There are several noteworthy parks of distinction such as McGuane Park with its great tennis court, and Armour Square on Shields Avenue. This large green space offers some of Bridgeport's best recreational amenities including basketball courts, walking trails, baseball diamonds, a fitness center and a community meeting room.

Average-sized single-family homes here can range anywhere from $200,000 to $700,000.

Bridgeport is quintessentially Chicago. The White Sox are a religion here. While it has been known primarily as an Irish enclave it is home to a large number of Lithuanian and Chinese population also.

Comisky Park may no longer be in existence- The Cell (US Cellular Field) is the new place to watch the Sox play.
In 2005 it was amazing- the White Sox won the World Series.

Sterns Quarry which was once the supplier of Limestone for a large part of the city. Is now an amazing park.

Truly a treasure of the city.