Chicago Authors Agora 2016: Chicago DEtours

On Tuesday, we were given the great opportunity to go on a 2 hour tour of some of the Chicago South Side neighborhoods. We started our tour in the South Loop near Grant Park and Prairie Avenue and then traveled through the following neighborhoods and sites: Bronzeville, Motor Row, Hyde Park and the University of Chicago, Washington Park, Armor Square (home of US Cellular Field), Bridgeport, Chinatown, Pilsen, University of Illinois-Chicago, and Greektown. Not only did we visit these culturally diverse neighborhoods, but we were also blessed to have an incredibly knowledgeable entrepreneur as our tour guide (She started Chicago Detours.) who shared so much rich history with us in a short span of time. If interested, follow the following link to the Chicago Detours website: http://www.chicagodetours.com/

Before getting very far, we saw the Agora sculpture (!!!) in Grant Park.


A group of 106 sculptures designed by Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz- All together, the group is named Agora, and it simultaneously represents the anonymity and individuality associated with democracy.

STOP 1- South Loop

Please excuse the foliage.

Built in 1836, the house to the right is the oldest building in Chicago. This building has a rich history itself which involves a crane, train tracks, and some freezing rain. Interested? Look up the Henry B. Clarke House to find out more!

STOP 2- The Prairie Avenue Historic District, previously home to Marshall Fields and George Pullman features mansions designed to show off how much more fun the inhabitants are having than other folks.

STOP 3: Bronzeville

The silhouette in the middle of the sign features a man with an electric guitar, a tribute to the African American contribution to the Blues Music movement in Chicago.

Spanning for about 50 years, the Great Migration was a long term movement of African Americans from the South Side of Chicago to the North Side. Many of these Chicagoans came from Bronzeville, previously referred to as "The Black Belt."


As a testament to the Northern Migration, the figure faces North with a suitcase filled with dreams for the future.

STOP 4- Hyde Park and the University of Chicago

Hyde Park was home to the World's Colombian Exposition in 1893 (Devil in the White City, anybody?). Some architectural contributions still remain.


The Museum of Science and Industry was the original home of the Palace of Art at the 6th World's Fair in Chicago.

University of Chicago, fondly known as the place "where fun goes to die," is home to 5,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 graduate students.

Disclaimer: I did not take this picture, but it looks better than mine.

To the left is Rockefeller Chapel
Because U of C is a nondenominational University, this chapel can house events for an unlimited amount of religions. A coveted space for weddings, it is even more beautiful in side. Make a visit, and see for yourself!


The Mansueto Library has 5 levels underground. (Robots are included, as well.)


This Frank Lloyd Wright house is situated in University of Chicago's campus. As a reaction to the rise of skyscrapers and industrial buildings, Wright designed homes that put family and nature at the center of social interaction again. #housesovermansions #ididnottakethispiceither

The Henry Moore sculpture, Nuclear Energy, stands upon the site of the world's first nuclear reactor. As our guide brilliantly said, although good things have come from nuclear energy, it also gave humans "the ultimate ability to destroy themselves."

STOPS 5-9- Washington Park, Armor Square, Bridgeport, Chinatown, and Pilsen

Washington Park Mansion

US Cellular Field- Home of the Chicago White Sox

Some mural art in Bridgeport

Some mural art in Pilsen


Located near the UIC Campus, this is the future site of the National Museum of Public Housing.

STOP 10- UIC


The building to the right with the pillars in front is the only original piece of architecture kept after the rise of UIC's campus. This is Jane Addams' Hull House, now a historic museum inside a college campus. Fun fact: Jane Addams invented the playground! That being said, CPS was the first school district to build these playgrounds. Pretty cool, huh?