Logan Square's History Of Change Captured In New Exhibit
By Heather Sadusky
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The neighborhood of Logan Square will be showcasing its history through a photo display during the month of August.
"Picturing Logan Square: An Exhibition of Rare Images," chronicles the drastic changes of a classic neighborhood that has been part of Chicago since 1889.
Andrew Schneider, the president of Logan Square Preservation, has spent a decade compiling hundreds of photographs that depict Logan Square over the past century and a half.
The effort has accelerated in the past 2 or 3 years, however, with friend David Keel's suggestion of a physical exhibition for the collection.
Many of the antique photographs came from long-time residents of Logan Square, from donations to garage sales, but Schneider's online excavation is not to be doubted.
Several donors also helped with their input including the Chicago Transit Authority, local public libraries, art institutions, as well as Liberty Bank, a home-grown Logan Square native since 1898.
The gathered photos are excellent prints, Schneider says, that were able to be blown up dramatically without loss of resolution.
Those chosen for display in the show focus on early decades.
Plenty of photos exist from the 60s, 70s, and 80s—decades people still consider not too long ago.
But all the relatively recent ones were eliminated, as well as those that "didn't tell the story," Schneider said.
Much of the noticeable difference between time periods was caused by the Blue Line; its construction, modification, and implications.
Originally built as an elevated rail, later alterations to the train in 1968 called for an underground track, creating distinct changes to the landscape of the community.
Despite the obvious and often drastic changes to the neighborhood, Schneider says a surprising amount of locations in old photographs can be recognized by comparing certain landmarks.
He also plans to continue the photographic documentation of his neighborhood, and keep the collection growing into future years.
The ultimate goal is to put most of the photographs in an online museum, easily accessible to everyone. Schneider also thinks many more photos will surface after the show and people will come forward with what they previously thought of as random pictures.
The exhibition will be open to the public on Aug. 2 at Comfort Station Logan Square, 2579 N Milwaukee Ave., and be available for viewing through Aug. 31.
The opening reception is Aug. 3 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Andrew Schneider also revealed there will be a booklet for sale, including over 30 photographs in the form of a walking tour of Logan Square.