Heading back to the streets of Chicago, picking up where we left off, heading north down Western Ave, picking my bumper off the street just south of North Avenue. What’s next?
Back in the day, Fullerton was the next main cross street we were very familiar with. I’m sure we cruised further up 2400W, but memory is a little hazy on those details. Of course nowadays, this stretch of Western Ave is used frequently. My son goes to school right off Western Ave just north of Fullerton. Fullerton is the entrance/exit to the Kennedy Expressway that is used many times over the days. We’ll run East and West down Fullerton shortly. Logan, Diversey, Belmont, Addison, Irving Park… back and forth, up and down, all down that stretch of Western Avenue we go. Heading just north of Irving Park, we arrive at Welles Park, where we’ve played baseball for the last number of years. North of that, we’ll continue down Western towards Foster, heading east to see my Mother-In-Law. Warren Park is just north of Devon; had a basketball tournament there. Touhy then Howard then Western Avenue finally ends, turning into Asbury Avenue in Evanston. Whew!
About 28 miles… is that right? Yes, it is the longest street in Chicago, and for me, definitely one of the most memorable. It is chock full of memories from my youth, which continues to grow even to this day. Hoping to add mostly good memories from here on out, just like with anything. From the Southside Irish Parade to the Toys for Tots ride, to what used to be Riverview Park to Rosehill Cemetery, Western Avenue holds a lot of history for many folks in Chicago. Western Avenue has always been the name of this street, going back about 175 years or so at this point. Imagine all the stories that people can tell; imagine all those stories that no longer can be told. History… Chicago history, I do like that.
So I tell my little piece of Chicago history, as we head down this and that street, throughout the city. Started this up when I needed to catch up a few months back, but I think I’ll keep this as a regular feature. We’ve covered a handful of streets already, but it’s really only the tip of the iceberg. How many streets are there in Chicago? How many do I have memories down? How many are there that I’ve never heard of? How many of them will I probably never go down? It’s pretty cool to think about.
OK, until the next street, let’s end this entry with a Chicago Street related joke that my dad told me… not really a PG one either, but here we go. What are the 3 streets in Chicago that rhyme with vagina? If you’re from Chicago and/or you think you know, take a second before reading the rest…
The answers: Melvina, Paulina, and Lunt. You’re welcome. See you on the ride down the next street.
bullwinkle
Had to work that joke in somewhere…….
JEFFK
Yes indeed