Vintage Chicago

Pictures have the ability to tell stories without the words. Images break down the barriers of language and express emotions on a more fundamental level. Post cards are an excellent tool to tell a story, especially when there is history behind them. This collection of vintage Chicago postcards from the private records of Pearson Realty Group helps tell the story of a city that boomed as an urban capital in the early 20^th century. The familiar neighborhoods and images on the cards suggest a city that is entering a new century of modernization.

The neighborhoods are of course distinguishable, but what Chicago looked like in the 1900s is a stark contrast to the bustling metropolis the city is today. However, there are a few sentiments that still hold true to this day. The abundance of park land and remarkable buildings continue to be a quality of the city in the modern day.

 

Humboldt Park

Humboldt Park dates back before the Great Chicago Fire. The neighborhood and actual park is located on the west side of Chicago near Ukrainian Village. Humboldt Park remains one of Chicago’s largest parks. This post card was post originally post stamped in 1909.

 

Garfield Park

Garfield Park, much like Humboldt Park, is a large park located next to the West Loop. Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, and Douglas Park are the three original west side Chicago Parks. Garfield Park is known as the oldest of the three. This particular postcard was never post stamped.

 

U.S. Post Office

Chicago’s downtown has always had a rich history of notable architecture. Architecture is such a prominent trait of Chicago’s downtown that architectural tours continue to be one of the city’s most appealing attractions. The government building and post office card was never post stamped.

 

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is one the most affluent neighborhoods in Chicago, second only to the Gold Coast. This is the only postcard from the collection that is portrayed in black and white because this is the only postcard from the collection that used an actual photograph printed on the card. While the artist’ renditions of Chicago are great an old photo is simply stunning. The postcard is post stamped in 1906, which is the oldest recorded date of the collection.