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Old Town is a historic neighborhood on the Near North Side of Chicago that’s gone through lots of ups and downs over the years.
Old Town was originally settled by German Catholic immigrants. There was a long period of downturn where half of the neighborhood was a place to avoid, but it has since bounced back. Old Town is bordered by Armitage Avenue to the north, Division Street to the south, Clark Street to the east, Halsted Street to the west, and Clybourn Street to the southwest.
Wells Street
The heart of Old Town is Wells Street. With many boutique shops, restaurants, and bars, it’s always a lively place to be. The bohemian Wells Street has been home to a folk music and theatre scene and was where the world’s first Crate and Barrel store opened in 1962. Check the official website for what’s on in Old Town.
Second City
One of the most important institutions in Old Town is The Second City. This comedy factory has produced some of the most successful comedians since its founding in 1959. Schedules and tickets to shows are available on the website.
Olsen-Hansen Row Houses
Some interesting historic homes are in the north part of Old Town. The Olsen-Hansen Row Houses at Eugenie and Wells were originally 12 in number, but now only five remain. They were designed in 1886 by Norwegian architect Harald M. Hansen for Adolph Olsen.
Crilly Court
On the other side of Wells, also along Eugenie, is Crilly Court. It was built in 1885 by Daniel F. Crilly. Stone row houses are on the west side and a four story apartment building is on the east side. The names of Crilly’s children are carved above the doors on the east side.
Menomonee Street
A couple blocks north is Menomonee Street, which contains some working class homes and cottages built by German immigrants in the mid-1800s.
Wacker Homes
Just north of Menomonee Street on North Lincoln Park West are the Wacker homes. These cottage style homes were built by German immigrant Frederick Wacker in the early 1870s. 1836 N. Lincoln Park West was a coach house but served as a temporary home until No. 1838 was finished.
St. Michael’s Church
The landmark building of Old Town is St. Michael’s Church, which was founded in 1852 to attend to German and Luxembourgish immigrants. Redemptorists have administered the church since 1860. It’s said that you know you’re in Old Town if you can hear the bells of St. Michael’s.
The current church was built in 1866, with the 290-foot high steeple added in 1888. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed the roof and interior of the Catholic church, but the structure survived. In fact, it was the only building standing in Old Town after the fire.
The Moody Church
Finally, on the east side of the neighborhood is the Moody Church. It’s a huge nondenominational church built in 1924 and dedicated on November 8, 1925. The architects were Fugard and Knapp, who designed the building combining the Romanesque and Byzantine styles. It’s named for its founder, evangelist Dwight Moody (1837-1899), who first built a church in Chicago in 1864. The church has seating for over 3,700 people. It’s located across the street from the Chicago History Museum.
