| Dates: | 1883-1946 (Bulk dates, 1913-1946) |
| Size: | 1 linear foot in 1 box, includes 13 photographs |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 |
| Collection number: | nnhc.bc |
| Immediate source of acquisition: | The Belmont Cragin Community Collection was a subdivision of the West Side Historical Society collections, accessioned in a group into the holdings of the Neighborhood History Research Collections. It was later transferred to the Northside Neighborhood History Collection. |
| Conditions governing use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection. |
| Conditions governing access: | Materials are open without restrictions. |
| Preferred citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Belmont Cragin Community Collection, [Box #, Folder #] or [Photograph #], Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Chicago Public Library. |
| Finding aid author: | Allyson Smally, 2021. |
Abstract
This small collection contains clippings, programs, yearbooks, photographs, and biographical and historical sketches of the Belmont Cragin neighborhood in the late nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century.
Biographical/Historical
Belmont Cragin is one of Chicago's 77 community areas, located on the northwest side of the city, 8 miles from the loop. Native American people were the original residents of the area. European settlers arrived in the area in the 1830s and began to establish factories and plants in the area in the 1880s, which led to an increase in population. Originally part of Jefferson Township, the area was annexed by the city of Chicago in 1889. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, factories continued to move to the area, although by the late twentieth century many were no longer in business. Immigrants have long called Belmont Cragin home, including those from Ireland, Poland, and Italy. By the 2000s, Belmont Cragin’s demographic shifted to Latinx communities.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains clippings, programs, yearbooks, photographs, and biographical and historical sketches. It covers local schools, businesses, a park, and a home. The collection includes biographical material, scrapbook pages, and photographs on Wladislaw and Albertyna Dyniewicz, newspaper and book publishers who were prominent figures in Chicago’s early Polish community.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in two series:
Series 1: Documents, 1883-1946
Series 2: Photographs, circa 1880s-1943, undated
Related Materials
Dyniewicz/ Kuflewski Collection at the Polish Museum of America, Chicago
Subject headings
- Belmont Cragin (Chicago, Ill.)
- Dyniewicz, Wladyslaw, 1843-1928
- Steinmetz High School (Chicago, Ill.)
Collection Inventory
Series 1: Documents, 1883-1946
Scope and Contents
This series contains clippings, programs, yearbooks, and biographical and historical sketches. It covers local schools, businesses, a park, and a home. There are also two folders of biographical material and scrapbook pages on Wladislaw and Albertyna Dyniewicz. Wladislaw Dyniewicz was a newspaper and book publisher who was a prominent figure in Chicago’s Polish community in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by topic, and alphabetically within each topic.
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Biographical – Dyniewicz, Wladislaw, biographical information and scrapbook pages, including copies of older material | 1917-1940s |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Biographical – Dyniewicz, Wladislaw and Albertyna, Golden Wedding anniversary celebration portrait and related materials | 1913 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Businesses – Loucks, Charles N. & Co., advertisement, 1891 | 1891 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Businesses – Whiskey Point Tavern, clipping | 1945 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Historical Sketches – typescript, historical sketch of Ward 36 | 1935 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Parks – Riis Park, re-dedication program | 1938 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | Residences – Falconer home, Cicero and Wellington, clipping | 1939 |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Schools – Falconer Elementary, commencement program and issue of Falconer News | 1944 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Schools – Hanson Park School, programs | 1937-1939 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Schools – Hayes School, list of names | 1883 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Schools – Lloyd School, district #6, typescript of clipping | circa 1925 |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Schools – Lyon School, Commencement program | 1939 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Schools – Steinmetz School, programs | 1938-1946 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Schools – Steinmetz School, Silver Streak yearbook and commencement program | 1937 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Schools – Steinmetz School, Silver Streak yearbook | 1938 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Schools – Steinmetz School, Silver Streak yearbook | 1941 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Schools – Steinmetz School, “A Study of the High School Community” | circa 1935 |
Series 2: Photographs, circa 1880s-1943, undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains photographs and negatives of Belmont Cragin in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It includes images of the Cragin Post Office and the Dyniewicz family as well as local homes and schools.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by topic, and alphabetically within each topic.
| Photograph 1.11 | Municipal agencies – Cragin Post Office, Charles Smith | 1905 |
| Photograph 1.12 | Municipal agencies – Cragin Post Office, staff | 1919 |
| Photograph 1.13 | Municipal agencies – Cragin Post Office, letter carrier Axel Thompson and dog Hector | undated |
| Photograph 1.1 | Portraits – Dyniewicz, Albertyna | undated |
| Photograph 1.2 | Portraits – Dyniewicz family, large gathering outside with buggies | undated |
| Photograph 1.3 | Portraits – McGawn, Gilbert and wife [negative] | circa 1880s |
| Photograph 1.4 | Residences – 4618 Armitage Ave., Vannatta home, exterior with child and adult standing outside | undated |
| Photograph 1.5 | Residences – Armitage Avenue at Cragin Station, Henry Vannatta home, exterior | circa 1900 |
| Photograph 1.6 | Residences – Armitage Avenue at Cragin Station, Henry Vannatta home, exterior | circa 1900 |
| Photograph 1.7 | Residences – Belmont and Harlem – McGawn home, built 1867 [negative] | undated |
| Photograph 1.8 | Residences – Diversey and Austin, Wladislaw Dyniewicz home | Circa 1900 |
| Photograph 1.9 | Schools – Burbank School, Eighth (?) grade class | 1940 |
| Photograph 1.10 | Schools – Steinmetz School, Quiz Program participants | 1943 May |
