What we’re about
This group celebrates the birthdays of the inspirations for Chicago’s great streets, by walking the entire length of each street. The streets serve as a narrative thread weaving together disparate communities, industrial remnants and new developments, history and mystery. As of August 2019 we have crossed Chicago for 70 consecutive months, covering streets such as Belmont (11 miles), Lincoln (7 miles), King Drive (12 miles), Lake Street (8 miles), and Western Avenue (24 miles). Walks feature numerous stops at interesting locations on the way, generally chosen “on the spur.”
See also our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/WalkingAcro....
Upcoming events
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Jackson Park Highlands "mini" walk
McDonald's, 6560 S Stony Island, Chicago, IL, USI'm trying something new and adding shorter, mini WAC walks to the calendar. These walks, in no way, replace the usual longer, point-to-point walks we all know and love. I wanted to get some extra steps in on the weekends and explore pockets of the city we may not see on a longer walk.
We will meet at the McDonald's at 6560 S. Stony Island and walk 6 miles, weaving through the streets of Jackson Park Highlands and the adjacent neighborhood.
The 6.06 mile loop route can be found here. Please refer to this route if you are late.
Jackson Park Highlands, established in 1905 in Chicago's South Shore, began as an innovative, exclusive subdivision with wide lots, setbacks, and underground utilities, designed for gracious living overlooking Jackson Park after the World's Fair. It flourished with grand homes in various styles (Tudor, Prairie, Colonial) but faced decline around WWII, leading to revitalization efforts in the 1970s, culminating in its designation as a Chicago Landmark District in 1989. Today, it's known for its preserved architecture, unique layout with no alleys, and status as a diverse, prestigious neighborhood.4 attendees
Mardi Gras Walk (ORLEANS, Hudson, Franklin)
Cafe Deko, 715 S Dearborn, Chicago, IL, USThree, three, three streets in one!
We'll meet at Deko Cafe, 715 S. Dearborn St and then head over to Franklin and walk north. Franklin turns into Orleans at the river and ends at Wisconsin.
These two streets combined aren't long enough for a decent February walk so we will head north to Webster and go south on Hudson Ave, ending at Erie St.
The 6.67 mile point to point route can be found here.
Hudson Ave, named for the English navigator Henry Hudson, who explored America from about 1607 - 1611. He discovered the Hudson River in 1610.
Orleans St. was named for either New Orleans, LA, or the French city of Orleans on the banks of the Loire River. in 1429 Orleans was under siege by the English. They were turned back by Joan of Arc.
How do Hudson and Franklin tie into New Orleans, Orleans or Mardi Gras? Well, I'll tell you. Or I should say, ChatGPT will tell you this:
The most direct and concrete connection between the names Hudson and Franklin with Mardi Gras is through a single historical figure and a specific event:
The strongest link is a historical figure who brought the names together during a major Mardi Gras season:
- Mary Hudson Vandegrift (originally Mary Evelyn Hudson) was a successful businesswoman who founded the Hudson Oil Company.
- In 1965, she was crowned Queen of the Krewe of Venus, which was the first all-female Mardi Gras krewe established in New Orleans.
- The archival records of her Mardi Gras experience explicitly mention her husband, Frank Vandegrift.
The record states that a scrapbook album relating to the event includes correspondence and ephemera surrounding both the 1965 Mardi Gras celebration and her 20th wedding anniversary to her husband, Frank Vandegrift (1898-1977).
My lunch suggestion is Mr. Beef on Orleans and Huron. I have yet to dine at this iconic Chicago staple made popular lately by the high-intensity show, The Bear.22 attendees
Past events
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