Humboldt Park

Humboldt Park Chicago is a large neighborhood on the city’s west side named for its namesake green space — arguably one of the city’s best parks.

Humboldt Park proper is almost 200 acres and is known for both its grounds and historic fieldhouse. The park hosts plenty of events, including Shakespeare in the Park, Movies in the Park, and other Night Out in the Parks special events. The 606, an abandoned rail line turned multi-use recreation trail, can also be picked up from the park.

The official boundaries of the surrounding community vary depending on the source, and it’s often subdivided into West and East.

Read on for a deeper dive into what it’s like to live in Humboldt Park Chicago.

Entertainment and Eating

Humboldt Park’s Puerto Rican population benefits the neighborhood’s dining scene and provides plenty of opportunity for celebration, including Fiesta Boricua, a free annual street party that is known to draw 65,000+ attendees.

From a bakery and soda fountain where the vibe is “old things made new” to a unique cocktail and natural wine bar to Diana’s, a neighborhood staple that operates as a daytime sandwich shop and convenience store, there are endless options for dining in Humboldt Park. There’s also great shopping: a favorite independent home goods store, an eclectic gift shop, a family-owned garden center, and much more. It’s both a great place to live and to visit!

A Bit of History

Humboldt Park proper has played an important role in the neighborhood from its early days. It was named after Baron Freidrich Heinrich Alexander Von Humboldt in 1869, a famous German scientist and explorer. It was a nod to the neighborhood’s large population of German immigrants in the late nineteenth century. Italian Americans and German and Russian Jewish immigrants moved to the neighborhood in the 1920s and 30s, followed by Puerto Ricans in the 1950s and 60s. The former stables on the park grounds are now home to The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, which, according to the Chicago Park District, is “the only museum in the nation that is completely dedicated to the history of Puerto Rican arts and culture.” Puerto Rican residents and culture are important to the neighborhood to this day. Latino immigrants of varied backgrounds, including many of Mexican descent, have moved to the neighborhood in recent years.

Further Reading

If you’d like to learn more about Humboldt Park, I recommend exploring the following resources:

• West Humboldt Park Development Council
• The Humboldt Park Portal
• Time Out Chicago‘s Humboldt Park neighborhood guide
• The Encyclopedia of Chicago’s Humboldt Park entry
• The Chicago Architecture Foundation’s write-up on Humboldt Park proper
• Choose Chicago’s Humboldt Park Neighborhood Guide
• Division Street Business Development Association (Facebook)

Interested in living in Humboldt Park Chicago? Dive into the stats and listings below, or contact me to discuss my knowledge of the area as well as current and upcoming listings.