One day it was about 45 degrees out, so instead of going to the gym, I took a walk around Noble Square. Even thought this neighborhood is just to the east of mine, I never fully walked the circumference of it. Noble Square’s borders are Ashland Ave on the west, Chicago Ave on the South, the Kennedy Expressway on the east, and North Ave on the north.
Like a lot of the neighborhoods around here - Ukrainian Village, East Village, Wicker Park - Noble Square is gentrifying at a rapid speed so there’s a mix of really old school shops and restaurants with new condos and restaurants. One thing that surprised me was there are several nice big parks and schools in the neighborhood. But still, there are pockets of sketch, even in the daytime. I keep an open mind. I’ve lived in America’s largest cities for a long time, but I know that if your gut tells you to get out of somewhere, you need to get out of there, and that happened one time during my walk.
Also, it’s hard to walk down the Kennedy! Go figure! So on the eastern edge of the neighborhood I kind of cut in and out, staying near the freeway, but obvs not on it.
These first photos are of Ashland Ave south of Division Street. I’ll have additional posts of other parts of the neighborhood coming up.
Other neighborhood walks:
» Ukrainian Village: 1 2 3 4
» East Ukrainian Village: 1 2 3 4
10 responses so far ↓
1 mike // Feb 24, 2006 at 9:48 am
That chick in the Alterations & Repairs stock art is kind of sexy.
2 Matt // Feb 24, 2006 at 10:48 am
What a great idea!
3 mom // Feb 24, 2006 at 2:21 pm
…But still, there are pockets of sketch,….
What’s that?
4 rachelle // Feb 25, 2006 at 9:14 am
bad areas
5 rachelle // Feb 25, 2006 at 9:58 am
El Barco was on Check Please last night.
6 jocelyn // Feb 26, 2006 at 12:22 pm
nice pics.
yes, if my gut tells me to get out, i do. no matter where or what time of day. so far, i believe this has served me very well. and i’ve read things about this phenomenon… if one ignores that feeling and keeps walking due to ‘white guilt’ or ‘lady guilt’ or whatever, people often end up in trowble.
i’ve never even *heard* of noble square. keep learning more about the city.
lastly, i wish i was the photoshop guru that you are. i don’t even have it now that i don’t have a job. (i’m sure the doctoring of the map wasn’t that dif, but you have done other pics/images in the past that i have thought were pretty snappy.)
7 ChrisM // Feb 27, 2006 at 7:04 am
Hey Ma Bowden!
I thought the same thing, “what’s sketch?”
I know what skell-y means, but not sketch (until) now.
These are great pics as usual.
Having lived long enough to see the phenomenon of gentrification wend through many neighborhoods start to finish I must say all and all I dont care for it. But this is just me, it certainly suits the needs of plenty of other people. OK, no more from me on that subject comrades.
8 Andy // Feb 28, 2006 at 5:16 pm
hey rachelle! long time no talk!
i had to take a moment and comment on your love of weimereiners - my parents have a 4-year old (Calvin) and he’s a great dog. A little hyper, but a total cuddler. And so handsome. I heavily encourage your future purchase of one.
also, i just saw a documentary last week on a famous photographer, william eggleston. ever heard of him? some of your photos really remind of his. ( i hope you like his stuff, i mean that as a strong compliment - you’ve got a great eye.) talk soon!
9 jocelyn // Mar 1, 2006 at 1:50 am
and then there’s will wegman, who takes pics of weimaraners!
10 thickness // Sep 10, 2006 at 9:50 pm
Was going to move to noblesquare do you think its a bad hood i have 4 children i want to be safe and cozy
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