Bucktown Community

The Bucktown area became part of Chicago in 1837; since then, it has undergone major changes to become the popular, lively neighborhood it is today. The neighborhood was designated a Chicago Landmark District in 1991.

Originally known as Kozie Prery (Goat Prairie) by its Polish inhabitants who were mainly goat herders.  A male goat is called a “buck” and since this was a new “town”, it soon became known as Bucktown.  Though they haven’t had livestock in quite a while, the small town community feeling and traces of the 1800’s architecture in neighborhood homes can still be found here today.

Bucktown has become a thriving artists’ community with many art galleries as well as several wonderful annual art festivals that attract thousands of visitors each year.  Since 1989, ‘Around the Coyote’ has been one such festival. Organized to show Bucktown’s emerging bonhemian artistic community, it was modeled after Parisian arts festivals where participants travel on walking tours of the local galleries.  Another wonderful festival is the Bucktown Arts Festival which showcases the local artistic talent as well as musicians and poets.

As far as shopping and entertainment, Bucktown has several boutiques, upscale retail stores, restaurants, and night clubs.  Whether it’s “Americanized” Thai food or live jazz, you can find it all in Bucktown.  However, if you need more, to the south is Michigan Avenue’s “Magnificent Mile”, one of the elite retail shopping districts in the nation, with shops such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman-Marcus, Marshall Field’s and Boomingdale’s.  You could also visit “Water Tower Place”, an indoor mall with eight floors featuring 120 specialty shops, seven cinemas, and several restaurants.

With easy access by car, bus, or CTA, Bucktown offers endless recreational opportunities for everyone.  From biking to boating to jogging, its all a short ride away.  There are also museums, Lincoln Park Zoo, the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium and much more