Martin Luther King Dr., 51st St. to Cermak Rd.

After a short hop through Washington Park past Provident Hospital, we tour Martin Luther King Dr. (formerly South Parkway) from 51st to where it turns into Cermak north of McCormick Place.

King Drive used to be lined with 3-story mansions and elegant apartments on both sides; at 40th Street, the Stockyards/Kenwood El line passed overhead.

The years have not been kind to King Drive; Dorothy Tillman has trashed the 47th St. intersection building monuments to herself.

High-rise apartment buildings were constructed that were completely out of scale and character with the boulevard.

But there's hope. Those who are tired of commuting from the suburbs and priced out of the north side are rediscovering and rehabbing beautiful turn-of-the-century mansions. At 35th Street, the former Supreme Life Insurance Building has had a complete makeover.

Lake Meadows and Prairie Shores have been desirable places to live from the day they were built. And the CHA's Prairie Courts has been replaced with new housing.

It's taken a while, but King Drive is coming back.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Chicago
• South
• Park
• Way
• Parkway
• Martin
• Luther
• King
• Drive
• Dr.
• Bronzeville
• Dorothy
• Tillman
• Lake
• Meadows
• Prairie
• Shores
• CHA

[MicChech1]

By the way the former alderman nor present Prozac-taking,wig wearing, she-man, gozilla-face alderman doesn't live in Paul G Stewart. Just show what a piss poor so journalist you are. You probaly can't even afford to hang out on 47th street.

[artistmac]

There a whole big 3rd Ward beyond 47th and King, that the former alderman ignored; that's one reason she lost. If you think that corner looks beautiful now, you weren't around in the '60's, before Tillman got her hands on it. Yes, Tillman lives in Paul Stewart, as she proudly stated during her campaign. Very "classy" comments about our current alderman; nothing she hasn't heard before from haters. By the way, do you live in the 3rd Ward or do you just "kick it on 47th St"?

[MicChech1]

I grew up in that area and still visit my peeps there. I was not born in the 60's and Tillman wasn't the alderman until the 80's. When did YOU move to the ward? I feel sorry for you man, if you feel that Tillman "trashed" the ward. I remember when there was nothing but dirt on King Drive and nobody wanted to live there. Now there are all these new people who don't know what she did. And some haters.

[artistmac]

I didn't "move" to the ward. I've lived at the same address for the last 51 years, thank you very much. We were REMAPPED into the 3rd Ward from the 11th, and the level of service went into the toilet. And I remember the Regal, the Met, and Walgreens, and dozens of other stores at 47th and King. It's you who needs the history lesson if you think that corner is better than it was. 5,000 vacant lots in the 3rd Ward under Tillman. Wake up, child.

[MicChech1]

Hey Artistmac. I know you are not talking about the four beautiful statutes on 47th Street. It is magnifcant at night. The whole area looks fabulous. It looks like you have beef with the former alderman. Brotha you should chill. My friends and I kick it on 47th Street now and it is the place to be. So how you say she "trashed" it I don't get. What's up with you man?

[artistmac]

Let me tell you what used to be at that corner. Walgreen's. The Regal and Met theaters. Terry's Department Store. The Palm Tavern. And many other businesses large and small. It's been a long, long time since 47th Street from State to King Drive was "the place to be". Don't take my word for it. If your grandparents grew up in Bronzeville, ask them.

[soln4suhreborn]

I remember my family having big barbeques out in Washington Pk during the late 70's early 80's. Those were good times though. There's a strip of park between MLK and one of the park's drives (can't remember it's name) between Garfield and 51st. That's where we used to have a ball. Can't forget the Bud Billiken Parade on King Dr.

[MystFaith]

Grandparent Comment:It's a start but doesn't tell the whole story, does it? 47th Street-Grand Boulevard, then South Park, then King Dr. Valentine Photgraphers, Big Ben's Shoes, Fuller's South Center, Bacon's, around the corner and last time I checked, still holding on. We had the Regal performers mixing with the community. 35th, 39th and 43rd, we had theaters, doctor's and dentist's offices, hotels, hat shops, restaurants and other businesses suppoorting the community.

Thanks for the memories.

[gracebeliever]

I enjoyed the drive.

[artistmac]

Thanks. It's high time people hear about the great things that are always happening in our community, and are ignored in favor of fires, murders and car accidents.