Blog Entry #5 - Field Trip to Bridgeport

1) Map of Bridgeport
 On the last itinerary of the Global Chicago field trip, I visited Bridgeport. Bridgeport is the area down below Chicago's downtown. The formation of Bridgeport is related to the Michigan Canal that links the Great Lake with the Mississippi River. Nearly 200 years ago, immigrants working on the canal project settled in what became Bridgeport, and today it has changed through the years so that industrial focus is now mixed with exciting arts and food scene with a various ethnic group.[1]

 Bridgeport plays an important role in explaining the Chicago's political history because Bridgeport has been home to five Chicago’s mayors. The first mayor was Edward Joseph Kelly (1933~1947), followed by Martin H. Kennelly (1947~1955), then Richard J. Daley (1955~1976), Michael A. Bilandic (1976~1979), and Richard M. Daley (1989~2011).[2] 


2) The mural with a diverse ethnic group

 I noticed many races are live in the Bridgeport through the scenery of Bridgeport and the people whose I met while passing through the Bridgeport. I found the mural of various races at 956-999 W 32nd PI.

  Bridgeport's first immigrant is known as Irish, followed by German and Norwegians. They were settled in Bridgeport because of the Michigan canal construction. The canal commissioners, needing a vast supply of labor to work the mammoth project had to turn to the east; there was not nearly enough manpower in all of northern Illinois. Recruiters attracted experienced laborers who had worked on the Erie canal. Advertisements were placed in eastern newspapers, and many laborers were recruited fresh upon their arrival to the United States. [3]


3) Race and Ethnicity of Bridgeport
 According to the statistics, I can see that there are more diverse races now. Asian lives more than White in Bridgeport. I met a lot of Chinese elderly on the bus when I go back to IIT as proof. In addition, the rate of Hispanic is high. The reason why the ethnic group has changed is neighborhoods, Pilsen, Chinatown and Bronzeville are influencing the area. [1]


4) The lion statue represents Asians live in the Bridgeport.
5) Mexico flag at the house in Bridgeport

 I saw the lion statues that I saw in China town and Mexico flag at a house's front door.
6) Chinese and Japanese restaurants 

 As Bridgeport is a region with a high Asian rate, it wasn't hard to find Chinese character everywhere on the street. I can also find Asian restaurants on the streets.


7) Korean restaurant
I found a restaurant that sells Korean food, my hometown.



8) Mexican restaurants

 There is also a Mexican restaurant here.

9) The exterior of St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish
 The churches in Bridgeport are known to have played a big role in leading immigrants to Bridgeport. In 1850 enough Irish lived along Archer Avenue to organize St. Bridget's, the first of four Irish Roman Catholic parishes. The district soon attracted other immigrant groups. Germans settled in the neighborhood originally called Dashiel north of 31st Street and east of Halsted Street. The First Lutheran Church of the Trinity (1863), Holy Cross Lutheran Church (1886), St. Anthony Catholic Church (1873), and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (1883) were all originally German congregations. Czech Catholics organized St. John Nepomucene Parish in 1871. Poles and Lithuanians settled along Morgan Street. The Poles established St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish (1886) and St. Barbara's (1910), while the Lithuanians opened St. George Church in 1892 [4]. I've been to the St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish located at 1039 W 32nd St among these.

10) The interior of St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish

 When we went to the St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish, the people of it were preparing for the Easter. The first impression of the St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish felt as if I had come to the Catholic church in Europe. I met a kind priest in this Catholic church and he explained the Catholic church. The Catholic church was built by the Polish and the history of St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish began as Polish immigrants were settling in the Bridgeport area. The outside of the Catholic church is Roman style and inside is the Byzantine style.

11) The exterior of Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple of True Buddha School
 I found a Buddhist temple because a lot of Asians live in Bridgeport. The Buddhist temple is named Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple of True Buddha School and located at 1035 W. 31st.

12) The interior of Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple of True Buddha School

 Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple of True Buddha School was built to serve the new Asian community in Bridgeport while many churches in Bridgeport were built to serve the early immigrants that settled there.
13) Bridgeport Art Center
 Bridgeport is home to one of the most vibrant artist communities in Chicago. Along with several smaller, independent galleries there are several hubs that remain anchors for artistic expression and cultivation in the neighborhood [1]. I visited three famous galleries in Bridgeport.

 The first gallery I visited is the Bridgeport Art Center located at 1200 W 35th St. A variety of sculptures could be seen in the garden here, and an exhibition of works from the inside. In addition to studio and office rental space, they offer art classes through several of their tenants. Chicago Creative Commons offers woodworking classes. Three-hour beginning wheel throwing classes are offered through tenant Chicago Ceramic Center. Therefore, I saw kids who seem to be taking an art class. 
14) Artworks of Bridgeport Art Center 



15) Zhou B Art Center
 I could find the Zhou B Art Center located at 1029 W. 35th St. by walking a little from the Bridgeport Art Center. Zhou B Art Center was at the start of the arts movement in Bridgeport. Founded in 2004 by international artists and brothers, Zhoushi ShanZuo and Zhoushi DaHuang, the center provides galleries and studio spaces for more than 60 artists. [1]


16) Zhou B Art Center



17) Co-Prosperity Sphere

  Lastly, I visited the Co-Prosperity Sphere located at 3219-21 S. Morgan St. Co-Prosperity Sphere is used to showcase work by artists, performers and cultural workers of all backgrounds. Co-prosperity Sphere was spearheaded by Ed Marszewski of Maria’s and Marz Brewing and is also home to the non-profit community art and culture organization Public Media Institute which publishes several journals on art, culture, and beer and Lumpen Radio. Lumpen Radio is a low-power FM radio station and a collaborative effort of more than 100 individuals and organizations creating original programming, talk shows, and music. [1] Fortunately, I saw the radio broadcast when I went to the Co-Prosperity Sphere. 



18) Jackalope Coffee and Tea House

 I could feel the atmosphere of the hipster in some parts of Bridgeport. Jackalope Coffee and Tea House located at 755 W. 32nd St. is feel like hipster's coffee shop. They sell various kinds of drinks and food. I decided to come back later and enjoy this atmosphere.


19) Let's Boogie Records & Tapes

  Let's Boogie Records & Tapes located at 3321 S. Halsted has been in operation for 40 years and sell music LP, CD, cassette. I talked with the owner of this shop and he said that many students, as well as IIT, come here to field trip. The shop is said to be used as a 2nd museum since it has been in operation for a long time. Even the shop is old, the customers are endless. Because of the vintage trend, hipsters come to buy records and tapes.

20) The picture of past Let's Boogie Records & Tapes

 He showed the old pictures of the store and told the story that the area must have been full of livestock and dirty. He also told us the difference between the past and present of Bridgeport. He said that family lived together in the past but they were all scattered across different regions over time.


22) Augustines Spiritual Goods

 Augustines Spiritual Goods located at 3327 S. Halsted is right next to Let's Boogie Records & Tapes. This store sells spiritual items such as stones and crystals and products that help to heal such as oils.


23) Dunkin' Donuts and Subway in Bridgeport

 As there are many distinctive shops in Bridgeport, there are only a few traces of gentrification. I just found a few franchise stores and I didn't find a big difference between the new and the old. I had a feeling that it is a very safe neighborhood.

24) A picture with classmates
 I was happy to be with my classmates until the last field trip. It was good to know the neighborhood that could have been passed through by taking Global Chicago. 




2) and 4) through 24) taken by Dayoung Lee



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