Southeast Chicago Historical Society

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Southeast Communities

South Deering Businesses, ca. 1920
 

Chicago's Southeast Side is made up of the communities of South Chicago, South Deering, the East Side and Hegewisch.  One of the phrases that has been used to describe this region is smokestacks and steeples.  The community developed because of the steel industry but has been affected by the decline of the American steel industry in recent years. 

Most of the smokestacks are gone or at least idle.  All of the steel mills which existed in this area are closed; however, many of the steeples, stores, schools, and other local institutions and organizations, that were created by the numerous, diverse ethnic groups who made this community, remain. 

2020 © Industrial Heritage Archives
of Chicago's Calumet Region