February is Black History Month. Few people realize that Morgan Park is home to one of Chicago's pioneer black communities, dating back to the 1880s.
The earliest days of Morgan Park included a small settlement of African Americans, some of whom were former slaves and others descended from Southern slave families, who migrated north after the Civil War. They settled east of Vincennes Ave., near the main line of the Rock Island railroad. Families continued to settle there, and by 1920, almost 12% of Morgan Park residents were black.
They established their own churches, beginning with Beth Eden in 1891, and in 1940, the Catholic parish of Holy Name of Mary was formed. Public institutions such as Morgan Park High School (built in 1916) and the Walker Branch Library (founded in 1890) were always integrated.
Interstate 57, built during the 1960s, isolated the original black settlement. At the same time, racial integration throughout the Morgan Park area was increasing.
About ten years ago, under the direction of the late Sue Delves, the Ridge Historical Society worked extensively with members of this community to preserve their history through pictures, other documents and recorded interviews. Many of the participants were third and fourth generation residents. This information is part of the RHS collection.
This photo of second grade at Holy Name of Mary School is from 1955.