Neighborhood News: From Riverview to ‘Mayberry,’ Roscoe Village displays charm year-round in the ‘Village in the City’
It’s hard to believe now, given the vintage shops, elegant greystone two-flats and lush, grassy parks, but Roscoe Village began in the late 19th Century with a plan to build a giant amusement park called Riverview.
As WTTW discussed in its “Chicago Stories” Riverview began in 1879 at Belmont and Western Avenues, then a largely German neighborhood on the city’s north side. A group of Prussian war veterans purchased a plot of land to open a private club called Sharp Shooters Park. The men would go out on Sunday and do target practice, but the families and wives got jealous that they didn’t have anywhere to go. The Shooters Club eventually dissolved, but club members, including a prosperous baker named William Schmidt, bought the land west of Western Avenue to construct the “world’s largest amusement park.”
The Schmidt family owned and operated the park from 1903 to its sudden closing in 1967. Chicagoans of “a certain age” will remember amusements like Aladdin’s Castle, the Bobs, and the Big Dipper roller coaster.
As the Lakeview /Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce notes, as thousands of visitors flocked to the park annually, businesses began to open along Belmont, Roscoe, and Western. About half of these businesses were bars and taverns. A few dozen amusement park workers also moved to the area and built their homes.
Roscoe Village experienced its first boom in economic development around 1920. Frame houses and brick and greystone two-flats sprung up, making Roscoe Village “the place to be.”
Roscoe Street formed the neighborhood’s main commercial spine, packed with independent restaurants, boutiques, and cafés, while nearby Belmont Avenue added antique and vintage shopping.
After Riverview closed in 1967, the grounds eventually became home to the Riverview Plaza shopping center, the Chicago Police Area 3 Detective Division, DePaul College Prep, dental equipment manufacturer Hu-Friedy Manufacturing, and Richard Clark Park of the Chicago Park District.
Today: Is it “Mayberry?”
As the Lowe Group says, Roscoe Village is home to roughly 14,600 residents with a median age in the low 30s, drawing young families and professionals looking for a quieter alternative to neighboring Lake View and Lincoln Park. Housing is a mix of two-flats, single-family homes, and low-rise condo buildings.
The area also features quiet, tree-lined residential streets, great local parks like Hamlin Park, which has an outdoor pool, tennis courts, playground, and dog park, and highly rated local schools. While there’s no Sheriff Andy Taylor, Roscoe Village is considered one of the nicest, most desirable residential neighborhoods in Chicago.
Roscoe Street is the main thoroughfare, boasting vibrant shops, lively arts, top rated eateries and nightlife, including the retro Kitsch’n on Roscoe and Le Sud Mediterranean Kitchen.
Sports for you!
The 312 River Run Path runs along the Chicago River, there’s Kerry Wood Cubs Field for local youth baseball, and the Endeavor Health (Chicago) Fire Pitch soccer fields just north of the neighborhood. Also, Clark Park gives residents direct access to the Chicago River, with the WMS Boathouse offering public docks, boat rentals, and rowing programs.
Event: Retro on Roscoe This Weekend!
This weekend offers a perfect opportunity to discover Roscoe Village yourself.
“Retro on Roscoe” is their annual throwback extravaganza packed with live music, classic car shows, vintage shopping and old-school fun for all ages. Groups such as Sixteen Candles, Dancing Queen, and Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials are playing this year’s show.
From Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 20, at 2000 Roscoe Street, you can, as their website says, “soak in the nostalgic vibes, from decades-spanning hits on multiple stages to rows of rare and restored classic cars. Indulge in delicious eats from top local vendors, sip on craft beer and let the kids enjoy family-friendly games and activities in the dedicated children’s area.”
Whether you’re a rock ’n’ roll fanatic, a vintage lover or just here for the good times, Retro on Roscoe is a fun-filled weekend of music, memories and retro magic! The hours for this year’s festival are:
- Friday, September 18, from 5pm to 10pm
- Saturday, September 19, from 12pm to 10pm
- Sunday, September 20, from 12pm to 8pm
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
