In the 1960s, the population of Chicago shrank dramatically. White residents in several neighborhoods left the city for suburban areas, and the real estate industry made vast sums by blockbusting. Skilled workers and factory workers lost their jobs during the crisis. The living conditions of slum areas and ghettos were worst because the crime rates were high, shootings, robberies, rapes, fires, dreadful schools, and high dropout rates, joblessness were at its peak.
During the late 60s, the anti-war protesters disrupted the 1968 convention and ended up in a Daley-led police riot. The assassination of civil rights activist Martin Luther King led to violent riots and protest in the streets of Chicago. The unrest in Chicago led to eleven deaths and over a hundred destroyed buildings.
Take a look at these stunning historical photos of Chicago in the 1960s that shows the street, roads, transport, nightlife, and everyday life.
My grandparents actually owned a small grocery store in a predominantly Polish neighborhood. They would always tell us about the different customers they had and how they would stock the shelves with traditional Polish foods. They loved being a part of that community, and they always felt like they were making a difference in people’s lives.
My grandfather was a construction worker on the Marina Towers. He mentioned that he and his colleagues used to enjoy their lunch on the balconies, with their legs hanging over the edge. However, they had to stop doing so when one of his friends accidentally fell off.
Cars back then looked so cool.
I was chatting with a car dealer. I expressed my desire to retain the efficient engines of present-day vehicles while incorporating the vintage aesthetic of the past.
Well, my grandparents were living in the city during that time, and they always talked about how lively it was. There were so many different neighborhoods with their own unique cultures and traditions. They would often take my mom and her siblings to visit Chinatown, which was always a fun adventure. They would try new foods and see the beautiful architecture of the area.
Wow, these photos of 1960s Chicago really take me back! I wasn’t actually alive during that time, but my parents used to tell me stories about what life was like in the city back then.