When we think of Chicago we think of factories and pizza. The Italian population has contributed too much of Chicago’s diverse cultural, and the backbone of America’s economy.

One of the most inspiring areas in America is Little Italy, in the Near West Side of Chicago with Taylor Street ‘s little Italy hedged by Western Avenue and Morgan Street, Harrison on the North, and Roosevelt Road on the South. This area grew under a mass migration of Europeans, Italian, Greek, and Jews. Only the Italian American enclave stayed to created a vibrant district.

Several of the grocery stores, pizza restaurants, and historic Roman Catholic churches remain. By 1927, Italians owned 500 grocery stores, 257 restaurants, 240 pastry shops and other shops. Early success stories included the Gonella Baking Company, but the list is too long for one article.

Two of the more significant landmarks of Little Italy are the Catholic churches, Our Lady of Pompeii and Holy Guardian Angel, founded by Mother Cabrini.

Hull House, established by Jane Addams, is a historic site known for cultural and educational programs.

The city was a typical working city until it gained notoriety. Chicago became famous in 1893 with the birth of the Word’s Fair.

The history of Chicago’s many Italian neighborhoods are built around community centers where people come, eat, and socialize after a long day at work. This creativity and culture was preserved past WWII and was sustained through the next 5 decades.

Today’s Italian community is as vibrant as it ever was. Little Italy is a proud neighborhood. The community took the initiative to establish landmarks preserved and to showcase Italian nationalism and culture. Today the area is less an Italian hub, and more a student center. It is now populated by 25 000 students enrolled at the University of Illinois at Chicago, which houses a renowned medical teaching center.

The neighborhood is home to the National Italian American Hall of Fame, founded in 1977. The foundation is dedicated to advancing and promoting the history and heritage of Italian Americans in Sports.

A new addition in recent years is the Frank Sinatra Performing Arts Center. This celebrates the famous people born and raised in Chicago.

Many of American’s icons were born in Chicago. The Radio Flyer red wagon was created by Antonio Pasi. Today the company’s 100 employees manufacture about 8000 wagons a day.

However, Chicago is not caught in the past. Restaurants like Rosebud’s, Pompeii, and Tuscany now share the dinner crowd with home grown franchises such as Vito’s Pizza which still serves classic Chicago pizza, and modern medical and nuclear institutions.

The auto industry has given way to The Manhattan Project, known for atomic research. The factories and warehouses have evolved and grown, replaced by Baxter Laboratories and the American Hospital Supply Corporation.

If you are searching for an interesting and unique look at American Culture, then make sure you stop in Chicago, taste some world famous pizza, and enjoy some timeless entertainment.

Author Bio: Sharing Chicago’s past. Matt Redding blogs on tourism and culture. He cited www.vitos.com Chicago Pizza Restaurant, whose articles are published around the internet for everyone to enjoy.

Category: Advice
Keywords: Vitos, Vito\’s, Vitos Pizza, Vitos Pizzarea, Pizza Franchise