The Logan Square Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois

The Logan Square neighborhood is located on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois. The neighborhood is a community area defined by United States census tracts and the name applies to a number of smaller neighborhoods within the area. The area has boundaries by the Metra/Milwaukee District North Line railroad, the North Branch of the Chicago River, the SOO Line railroad and Diversey Avenue.

What was once a primarily Russian neighborhood, today the area is a veritable mix of ethnicities and cultures including Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Polish, Eastern European, African-Americans and Norwegian-Americans. The area is known for being an affordable place to live and has an inexpensive real estate market, which in turn draws in students, artists and young, working-class people. There are more elaborate, mansions and homes located along Logan and Kedzie Boulevards.

A landmark in the neighborhood is the Illinois Centennial Memorial Column. The structure was built in 1918, to commemorate the one-hundredth anniversary of Illinois' statehood. The monument was designed by Henry Bacon, the same architect who designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The reliefs surrounding the base of the monument are figures of Native Americans, farmers, laborers and explorers, and are designed to depict the changes Illinois experienced during the first century.

Bucktown, got its name from a large number of goats that were raised in the neighborhood, a male goat is called a buck in Polish, and the name stuck. The neighborhood is located at the east end of Logan Square, northwest of the Loop. The area is primarily residential with older homes, converted industrial loft spaces and newer buildings with edgy architecture. The neighborhood was at one time primarily Polish, but experienced a large influx of Germans, Puerto Ricans, Jewish and Mexican immigrants. In the latter part of the 20th century the neighborhood drew in many artists and as a result, gentrification happened and newer populations of young professionals were drawn into the area. Many of the older structures were torn down to make way for newer businesses, restaurants, bars and residential buildings.

The Palmer Square neighborhood is a tiny pocket located in Logan Square. The name comes from the seven acre Palmer Square Park, an open green space located at the west end of the neighborhood. In August of each year, thousands of people gather in the park for the Arts Festival which features, local artists, live music and entertainment, a beer garden and activities geared for people of all ages.

The nightlife of Logan Square is an eclectic mix of quirky pubs and Prohibition-era themed bars. Logan Square also contains a wide variety of restaurants, shops and an auditorium which regularly offers musical entertainment. The neighborhood is also home to the Logan Square Boulevards National Historic District, which boasts a spectacular collection of old graystone homes. Logan Square is a vibrant and multicultural neighborhood which is affordable, has easy access to public transportation, trendy shops and a wide mix of interesting options, which make it a popular attraction for people from all walks of life.