New Canaryville Bridgeport Sign (Chicago: 2013, houses, neighborhoods)

[jonnynonos]

It was interesting to see this sign announcing Canaryville (and on the other side, Bridgeport) on Halsted the other day.

I thought the residents of Canaryville liked flying under the radar, more or less, but this suggests otherwise. Not that a big sign is really a huge symbol of redevelopment, but it does make me wonder if there is an interest over there in attracting outsiders to the neighborhood? I mean, it is probably making tens of thousands of people a week aware of Canaryville who otherwise wouldn't be.

The thing is, there is not much to do in Canaryville, aside from a few restaurants. (And a few frightening bars that I highly doubt many outsiders would have an interest in venturing into!).

Maybe that will change. Anyway, it's a cool sign... half a million bucks though? Seems like a lot!

Cool to see the city promoting the diversity of its neighborhoods.

New Signs Resolve Border Battle in Bridgeport, Canaryville - Bridgeport - DNAinfo.com Chicago

[nearnorth]

My guess is that this is more about Bridgeport residents not wanting to be associated with Canaryville, though it may also be about Canaryville wanting to maintain a separate identity rather than being swallowed up by a gentrifying Bridgeport.

[jonnynonos]

Originally Posted by nearnorth

My guess is that this is more about Bridgeport residents not wanting to be associated with Canaryville, though it may also be about Canaryville wanting to maintain a separate identity rather than being swallowed up by a gentrifying Bridgeport.

That's kind of funny.

I don't get what's so bad about Canaryville, though.

People have referred to it as the "hood" etc.

To me the houses and lawns look to be meticulously maintained and the people just seem like what I would call regular middle class/working class people.

The only parts I've seen that seem "sketchy" are the bars.

[gomexico]

Originally Posted by nearnorth

My guess is that this is more about Bridgeport residents not wanting to be associated with Canaryville ...

LOL!

[nearnorth]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

That's kind of funny.

I don't get what's so bad about Canaryville, though.

People have referred to it as the "hood" etc.

To me the houses and lawns look to be meticulously maintained and the people just seem like what I would call regular middle class/working class people.

The only parts I've seen that seem "sketchy" are the bars.

I was just speculating, not saying there's anything "bad" about it. I don't know much about it, actually, but it does seem like a place that is insular and proud of its identity. Being as small as it is and with neighborhoods near it evolving, this could be an attempt to make its unofficial boundaries and name more official and established to outsiders.

[Lifelong Chicagoan]

I grew up four and a half miles west of Canaryville and to me has been synonymous with close-minded white people. It is viewed as a white trashy part of town. Not that where I grew up wasn't close-minded. It's probably not the "hood" but it's not a place many outsider would go.

[jonnynonos]

Originally Posted by Lifelong Chicagoan

I grew up four and a half miles west of Canaryville and to me has been synonymous with close-minded white people. It is viewed as a white trashy part of town. Not that where I grew up wasn't close-minded. It's probably not the "hood" but it's not a place many outsider would go.

Is that your first hand experience or just the rep?

I guess the only reason I am interested is because the times I have been there, which I guess is about a half dozen now, it doesn't seem trashy or run down at all. Maybe I haven't been to the right parts, although I think I've seen most of it.

I am not saying this just to be a contrarian but the houses and lawns seemed extremely well maintained to me. I have seen far more run down white suburbs. True they are very small, but they seem extremely well maintained and the lawns are nice and tidy and even the people seemed pretty put together (shirts tucked in etc.)

McKinley Park for example though not majority white any more seems far more slummy to me than Canaryville.

[Ace Rothstein]

Canaryville doesn't have paved roads and the people there don't wear shoes.

[Lifelong Chicagoan]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

Is that your first hand experience or just the rep?

I guess the only reason I am interested is because the times I have been there, which I guess is about a half dozen now, it doesn't seem trashy or run down at all. Maybe I haven't been to the right parts, although I think I've seen most of it.

I am not saying this just to be a contrarian but the houses and lawns seemed extremely well maintained to me. I have seen far more run down white suburbs. True they are very small, but they seem extremely well maintained and the lawns are nice and tidy and even the people seemed pretty put together (shirts tucked in etc.)

McKinley Park for example though not majority white any more seems far more slummy to me than Canaryville.

Here is an article I found about racial issues in Canaryville in 1991. This is from where the rep comes. You can almost hear their Chicago accent in some of the interviewees quotes.

Racial Tension Fact Of Canaryville Life - Chicago Tribune

[nearnorth]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

McKinley Park for example though not majority white any more seems far more slummy to me than Canaryville.

I disagree completely. There are worse places in the city than Canaryville, but it's sketchier than Bridgeport or McKinley Park. I prefer to stay north of Pershing in that part of the city.