Andersonville: A Quaint, Thriving Community with a Sweedish History

Andersonville is a northern neighborhood in Chicago, situated in the greater Edgewater community area. Initially, it was settled by immigrants from Sweden in the mid-19th century, hence the name. Swedish people have greatly influenced this neighborhood; here you can find the Swedish American Heritage Museum (5211 N. Clark Street), the Swedish Bakery (5348 N. Clark Street) and many other local Swedish bakeries and restaurants.

Andersonville stretches as far as Magnolia Avenue to the east, Ravenswood Avenue to the west, Winnemac Avenue to the south, and Victoria Avenue to the north. The heart of the Andersonville commercial district is the corner of Clark and Foster (5200 North Clark).

Andersonville is now one of Chicago's most popular neighborhoods. Yes, you can still feel the Swedish influence, but the community is particularly known for its diversity and its open, relaxed blend of cultures. While many shopkeepers still speak Swedish, there are now wonderful American, Persian, Andean, Asian and Turkish restaurants and shops. The Swedish American Museum was opened in 1976 in a ceremony that was attended by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Later on, it was moved into larger quarters at 5211 N. Clark, where it remains today.

The motto of Andersonville is "A quaint village in the heart of a world class city." The streets are lined with trees and greenery, and the area is full of brick and framed dwellings quite close to the street, producing a quaint, small-town feel. It also has some prime real estate in the form of large turn-of-the-century homes located on shady tree-lined streets. A stroll along the east-west streets that jut off of Clark Street will reveal real estate treasures around every corner. Clark Street, situated between Foster and Bryn Mawr Avenues is popular throughout the city for its eclectic mix of specialty shops, cafes, and ethnic restaurants. In addition, the area features numerous gay and lesbian bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

Residents here have easy access to transportation and can quickly reach nearly every spot in town. They have easy access to both of Chicago's major north side highways and public transportation. El red line stations are on Berwyn and Bryn Mawr avenues. The #22 Clark, #92 Foster, and #36 Broadway CTA buses run through Andersonville, and the Ravenswood Metra station makes it easy to commute to either downtown or to the suburbs.

Andersonville started to develop at a higher pace in the late 1980’s as professionals rediscovered its lovely housing stock and proximity to downtown Chicago and the lakefront. At that point, new shops and ethnic eateries opened up in Clark Street, giving it a new commercial vitality and diversity.

Now, Andersonville is among Chicago's hottest neighborhoods. It also enjoys a good reputation for its unique commercial district, comprised almost entirely of locally owned, independent businesses. The locally owned businesses are a crucial part of Andersonville's vitality and quality of life, because they don’t just take but they also return money back to the community which benefits the whole economy. Communities everywhere in Chicago now view Andersonville as a model of a thriving urban neighborhood.

The most popular event here is the Andersonville Midsommarfest. Started in 1965, it is one of the region's most eagerly anticipated and well established summer festivals. Every year about 50,000 people gather on Clark Street to enjoy great international food, stellar family activities, lively entertainment on four stages and over 100 quality artisans showcasing their wares. Old-world Swedish traditions, including a festive dance around the Maypole, are incorporated into an unrivaled array of entertainment for families and adults.