North and Pulaski Historical Society

05/03/2026

What is being buried behind the Pioneer Arcade at 1535 N. Pulaski?

05/02/2026

The Pioneer Lanes/Bowl/Arcade on May 1st.

The demolition photos are throughout the month of April.

Demolition is done and 30 feet of the side common brick, the whole terra-cotta front facade, the interior arcade, the two storefronts and the main staircase remain.

The loose terra-cotta pieces were taken down and preserved anywhere there was weak or weathered steel behind. They will be restored and put back up when the weakened steel is replaced.

Thanks to Lydia Granados for some of these shots.

04/30/2026

True Chicago historian.

Pete Kastanes, who had a passion for telling stories of pastimes from across the city of Chicago, had amassed more than a quarter-million followers on social media.

04/26/2026

Gone, but not forgotten.

04/23/2026

Armitage–Hamlin (1917 and 2022)

This comparison between 1917 and 2022 at Armitage Avenue and Hamlin Avenue reflects a neighborhood shaped by time and change. In 1917, the area likely features early residential buildings and small local shops. Streets are quieter, with limited traffic and simple infrastructure. The architecture reflects early 20th-century design. By 2022, the same intersection shows a more developed and modern setting. Roads are paved and widened, with organized traffic systems. Buildings may have been renovated or replaced entirely. The presence of cars is constant, reflecting modern life. The neighborhood may retain some historic charm while adapting to change. The contrast highlights continuity in layout but change in detail. The scene captures everyday evolution rather than dramatic transformation. A grounded glimpse into Chicago’s neighborhood history.

04/21/2026

New 5 story workforce training hub to be developed at 3446 W. North Ave (North and St. Louis).

Updated plans have been revealed for the upcoming health and job training hub at 3446 West North Avenue in Humboldt Park.

04/11/2026

The unnamed park 514, at 1434 N. Monticello, along the Metra tracks is proposed to be named Fillenwarth “Patty” Park after a sister who served the most vulnerable in our community over 42 years.

We love this park, we used to take our kids there when they were young and they used to call it the “Choo-choo” park. We are in full support of this renaming.

“The proposed name of Fillenwarth (Patty) Park recognizes the extraordinary contribution that Sister Patty Fillenwarth made to civic betterment locally. Sister Patty was a Sister of Providence and ministered to the people of the Humboldt Park community for forty-two (42) years.

Among many accomplishments and contributions to the community, most notably, in 1994 she opened Providence Family Services, a center providing bilingual family counseling. Over time, Sister Patty incorporated community input and added to the center’s offerings to include an after-school tutoring program for children, adult English language classes, computer literacy classes for adults and children, and citizenship classes. Providence Family Services was an anchor in the community that welcomed all regardless of faith, race, or socioeconomic status.

The center operated on small fees for services, grants, appeals to its large donor base and the annual rummage sale. It had a fourteen (14) member advisory board with most members from the local community. In its twenty-four (24) year history, Providence Family Services served almost 10,000 people.

Part of the Providence Family Services mission statement said, “Providence Family Services provides support and direction to assist individuals, couples and families to make changes that will allow them to achieve wholeness and an awareness of their personal gifts.” Sister Patty was true to that mission.

Sister Patty passed away in June 2020 at the age of seventy-nine (79). She had been a Sister of Providence for sixty-two (62) years.

This request to officially name Park No. 514 as Fillenwarth (Patty) Park was submitted by Maggie Martinez, an active member of the Humboldt Park community and has the support of Alderman Jesse Fuentes, State Representative Lilian Jiménez, State Senator Omar Aquino, Pastor José Maria García-Maldonado of the San José Sánchez del Río Parish, and additional members of the Humboldt Park community.

Pursuant to the Code, this request to name Park No. 514 was forwarded to designated Park District staff (“Park District staff”) who conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of the request to ascertain if it met the criteria for naming a park. Park District staff found that the criteria had been met. Also pursuant to the Code, this request to name Park No. 514 was forwarded to Secretary.”

10/13/2025

Apparently, there were two Baskind Jewelers, one at 4050 W. North Ave. (1950s-1960s) and one at 4009 W. North Ave. That address was also known as Baskind Radio (In the 1970s it was Pioneer Jewelers?) And then there was a Baskin Lamp store at North and Avers. Who was Baskin(d)?